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Keith Eyster's top NBA prop bets for 12/19/25: expert player-prop picks, value plays, quick model edges and line-shopping tips for today’s slate. Check odds & get the edge.
Welcome back to another edition of RotoBaller's NBA Props! We have a smaller five-game slate on tap this evening, with half of the teams on the second leg of a back-to-back.
The New York Knicks rested several key rotation members last night, including a couple of starters, as they are in the midst of a brutal travel schedule after their NBA Cup victory. We are also likely to be waiting until the afternoon for injury reports from Miami, San Antonio, Atlanta, and Oklahoma City, who all played last night.
In this article, I will provide my favorite NBA player props picks for Friday, December 19th. Prop picks can range from individual stats—points, assists, rebounds, three-pointers made, and defensive stats —to combination props (Points + Rebounds + Assists = PRA). All odds and sportsbooks used are listed, but it's always a good idea to shop around, as odds change throughout the day as bets are placed. Let's get to the picks already. I loaded it up for tonight!
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Today’s Best NBA Prop Bets & Player Props
Let’s take a look at the top player props for today’s NBA slate:
- Tyrese Maxey over 33.5 Points + Assists (-105 Fanatics)
- Jaylen Brown over 29.5 Points (-102 FanDuel)
- Norman Powell over 22.5 Points (-110 BetMGM)
- Jaylon Tyson over 24.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110 FanDuel)
- Jordan Walsh over 14.5 Points + Rebounds (-105 BetMGM)
Tyrese Maxey over 33.5 Points + Assists (-105 Fanatics)
Sixers point guard Tyrese Maxey has missed the last two games due to an illness, but he is completely off the injury report on Friday and expected to return at full strength. For the season, Maxey is averaging 31.5 points and 7.2 assists. Paul George is back in the lineup at full strength, but Joel Embiid is listed as questionable for this game. Maxey has maintained his status as the focal point of the offense in games Embiid has played anyway, but he could potentially see increased usage if Embiid were to sit.
The matchup against the Knicks is a difficult one on paper, but they are coming off a unique travel schedule and may not have the freshest legs for this game. They won the NBA Cup on Tuesday in Las Vegas before flying to Indiana for the game last night. They then had to fly back to New York for the game tonight. They may rest players again today, given that grueling travel schedule, but Maxey is capable of clearing this line even if the Knicks play at full strength.
Jaylen Brown over 29.5 Points (-102 FanDuel)
In the absence of Jayson Tatum this season, Jaylen Brown has stepped up in a big way for the Celtics. He is averaging 29.3 points on the season, and he has scored at least 30 points in five straight games and eight of his last nine. He ranks third in the league in usage rate behind only Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Jaylen Brown over his last 10 games:
- 32.0 PPG
- 7.1 RPG
- 6.2 APG
- 1.5 SPG
- 50/38/77 splits
- 59% true shootingHe joins Luka and Jokic as the only players this szn to average those stats over a 10 game span. pic.twitter.com/ytzhDvBCJZ
— The Lead (@TheLeadSM) December 16, 2025
Tonight's matchup against Miami sets up as a high-scoring affair. The Heat play at the fastest pace in the league, and despite a top-5 ranking in defensive efficiency, they rank just 18th in points allowed because of that tempo. Expect Brown to carry a massive usage rate and remain the focal point of the Boston offense.
Norman Powell over 22.5 Points (-110 BetMGM)
Norman Powell averaged a career-best 21.8 points per game last season for the Clippers. After signing with the Heat in the offseason, he is again putting up career-best scoring numbers, averaging 24.4 points per game. He scored 24 points against Brooklyn last night and will look to put up a similar performance against Eastern Conference rival Boston this evening.
Boston's once stout defense has taken a step backward this year as it is dealing with some roster turnover, and they rank just 18th in defensive efficiency. Their typically slow tempo of play should be increased in this game by Miami's league-leading tempo, which will lead to more scoring chances.
Powell leads the team in usage, and the Heat should once again be without Tyler Herro.
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If you set your own odds, another user has to accept them on the other side for the bet to be activated.
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Top Value Props & Sleeper Picks
Betting on superstars is always exciting, but the best value often lies on the margins of a roster. Role players and emerging contributors can offer hidden edges, especially as the season wears on and injuries start to shake up rotations.
Let’s dive into some of the top value plays for today’s NBA slate.
Jaylon Tyson over 24.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-110 FanDuel)
Second-year wing Jaylon Tyson is enjoying a breakout season for the Cavaliers, and his role has increased significantly of late. Over his last eight games, Tyson is averaging 32.9 minutes, 17.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists (27.9 PRA). Evan Mobley is out again for this contest, and Donovan Mitchell is listed as questionable. De'Andre Hunter has moved into a bench role so Tyson can remain in the starting lineup. Tyson is coming off a strong performance against the same Chicago team he faces tonight, posting 21 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists in 32 minutes. Chicago plays at the second-fastest pace and ranks 21st in defensive efficiency, so it sets Tyson up for another great outing.
Cavs Jaylon Tyson stats this season: 13.1p/5.7r/1.9a/1.0s/0.6b on 52.7% FG, 46.5% 3P, 78.1% FT in 28.2 MPG
Averaged 3/2/1 last year. Most Improved Player?
5 minutes of his best highlights so far https://t.co/V2NJo3ZKN1 pic.twitter.com/LF771aOmjV
— Role Player Performances (@BenchHighlights) December 17, 2025
If Donovan Mitchell is unable to play in this game, Tyson would be expected to take on an even larger role, and there would be significant value in this line. Even if Mitchell plays, Tyson has been regularly producing at a level above this line in recent games.
Jordan Walsh over 14.5 Points + Rebounds (-105 BetMGM)
Walsh cleared this prop for us in his last game despite playing just 17 minutes due to massive foul trouble. The fouling issues add a slight risk here, but that is already factored into the modest line. Since Walsh joined the starting lineup, he has averaged 24.9 minutes, 9.7 points, and 5.7 rebounds per game. His elite perimeter defense has been a big boost for Boston, and they have extended his workload beyond 30 minutes when he can limit the fouls.
Before his most recent outing, Walsh appeared to be taking another significant step forward. In the four games prior, he averaged 17.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in 28.5 minutes per game. He also shot 75% from three-point range in those games, which is obviously not sustainable, but it does demonstrate the type of upside he has when things are going well for him.
Tonight’s matchup offers further support for Walsh to clear this line, as Miami plays at the fastest pace and they have allowed the fourth-most rebounds in the league.
NBA Betting Tools & Resources
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Thanks for reading, RotoBallers, and good luck if you are tailing our bets tonight!
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