We have a total of three NBA player props for this Friday, and our staff of basketball betting experts is focused on some key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances with a big weekend on the horizon.
Read below for our NBA prop picks for Friday, January 3.
NBA Player Props for Friday, January 3
- Scottie Barnes
- Malik Beasley
- Jalen Suggs
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Scottie Barnes Under 34.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-120)” subtext=”Magic vs. Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET” center=”false” logo1url=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/tor.png” link1=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/odds/toronto-raptors” link1follow=”true” logo2url=”” link2=”” link2follow=”true” trailinglogourl=”” trailinglink=”” trailinglinkfollow=”true”][/subheader]
There’s some disagreement in the market about this line right now. A couple books are at 34.5, DraftKings is at 33.5, and FanDuel is down at 32.5.
RJ Barrett could return tonight, which would likely move the other books closer to 32.5. We’re getting a decent number right now regardless of the Barrett news, and this could be great value if it breaks our way.
Scottie Barnes has posted career highs in points, rebounds, and assists so far. He’s greatly benefited from Toronto’s persistent injury issues. They are finally getting healthy, with Immanuel Quickley returning on Monday and Jakob Poeltl coming back in late December.
Barrett could potentially be back after missing the last two games. Barrett actually leads the team in usage this season, with Quickley not far behind. Poeltl has easily paced the team on the glass.
Barnes played 14 games with Quickley/Poeltl/Barrett last season. He averaged 18.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in those contests. However, he’ll have a tough time hitting those marks in this matchup.
The Magic are 3rd in defensive rating (106.3) and 2nd in points allowed per game (103.6). They have allowed the fewest rebounds and fewest assists per game and are 29th in pace. It might be the most difficult matchup in the league for all-around production.
Pick: Scottie Barnes Under 34.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-120)
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Malik Beasley Over 15.5 Points (-125)” subtext=”Hornets vs. Pistons, 7 p.m. ET” center=”false” logo1url=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/343538_pistons.png” link1=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/odds/detroit-pistons” link1follow=”true” logo2url=”” link2=”” link2follow=”true” trailinglogourl=”” trailinglink=”” trailinglinkfollow=”true”][/subheader]
By Nick Galaida
Jaden Ivey suffered a broken fibula in the Pistons‘ most recent game, which means he will be out for the foreseeable future.
That could mean an expanded role for Malik Beasley moving forward. According to RotoGrinders’ CourtIQ, Beasley is averaging 21.5 points per 36 minutes this season with Ivey off of the floor.
In three games played without Ivey, Beasley scored 26 points against the Bucks, 28 points against the Heat, and 26 points against the Jazz — attempting at least 17 shots in each of those games.
This is a great value.
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Pick: Malik Beasley Over 15.5 Points (-125)
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Jalen Suggs Over 21.5 Points (-115)” subtext=”Magic vs. Raptors, 7:30 p.m. ET” center=”false” logo1url=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/orl.png” link1=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/odds/orlando-magic” link1follow=”true” logo2url=”” link2=”” link2follow=”true” trailinglogourl=”” trailinglink=”” trailinglinkfollow=”true”][/subheader]
By Jim Turvey
The Magic have lost one big usage player after another this season. First Paolo Banchero. Then Franz Wagner. Then Moritz Wagner.
Each step along the way has added a small bump to Jalen Suggs’ usage, but add it all together and his usage has been at 36.8 in the five games since the second Wagner went down. Now, Anthony Black is questionable for Orlando too!
Even if Black plays, Toronto is a good matchup for Suggs, allowing the fifth-most points per game this season. RotoGrinders projections have Suggs at 25.74 even with Black playing.
Pick: Jalen Suggs Over 21.5 Points (-115)
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