We have a total of 3 NBA player props for New Year’s Day, and our staff of basketball betting experts is focused on some key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances to ring in 2025.
Read below for our NBA player prop picks for Wednesday, January 1.
NBA Player Props for Wednesday, Jan. 1
- Jalen Duren
- Kyrie Irving
- DeMar DeRozan
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Jalen Duren Under 18.5 Points & Rebounds (-120)” subtext=”Magic 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]
This might be the most difficult matchup in the league for centers. Orlando has allowed the 2nd-fewest points per game and fewest rebounds per game to the position.
Positions aside, the Magic are just a tough matchup in general. They’re 3rd in defensive rating and 2nd in points allowed per game. They’ve allowed the fewest rebounds per game and are 29th in pace.
Two specific factors for Orlando should negatively impact Jalen Duren. The Magic have allowed the 2nd-fewest points per game in the paint.
Duren has scored 81% of his points from in the paint. Orlando has drawn the 2nd-most fouls per game.
Duren has had foul trouble issues. He’s 11th in the league in fouls per game. It has consistently capped his playing time. It’s a rough spot all around for Duren.
Pick: Jalen Duren Under 18.5 Points & Rebounds (-120)
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Kyrie Irving Under 27.5 Points (-125)” subtext=”Mavericks vs. Rockets, 8 p.m. ET” center=”false” logo1url=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/dal.png” link1=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/odds/dallas-mavericks” link1follow=”true” logo2url=”” link2=”” link2follow=”true” trailinglogourl=”” trailinglink=”” trailinglinkfollow=”true”][/subheader]
By Nick Galaida
According to RotoGrinders’ CourtIQ, Kyrie Irving is averaging 27.4 points per 36 minutes this season with Luka Doncic off of the floor.
However, this is a tough matchup for Irving, facing a Houston team that ranked in the top-10 in defensive rating and the bottom-5 in pace during the month of December.
It’s also worth noting that Irving has only scored 28+ points in 3 of the 9 games played without Doncic this season.
Houston has a strong perimeter defense, which has made life difficult for opposing point guards all season. The math favors the under here.
Pick: Kyrie Irving Under 27.5 Points (-125)
[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”DeMar DeRozan Over 26.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-122)” subtext=”76ers vs. Kings, 7 p.m. ET” center=”false” logo1url=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/348219_kings.png” link1=”https://www.actionnetwork.com/nba/odds/sacramento-kings” link1follow=”true” logo2url=”” link2=”” link2follow=”true” trailinglogourl=”” trailinglink=”” trailinglinkfollow=”true”][/subheader]
By Nick Galaida
Keegan Murray is officially listed as doubtful for this contest.
Murray has only missed 1 game this season, but in that game, DeRozan had 18 shot attempts, 8 rebound chances, and 8 potential assists.
According to the RotoGrinders CourtIQ tool, DeRozan is averaging 24.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per 36 minutes with Murray off of the court this season.
Assuming DeRozan sees north of 30 minutes in this game, he should have every opportunity to get the job done here.
Pick: DeMar DeRozan Over 26.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-122)
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