The Detroit Pistons are hanging onto the No.1 spot in the East, but tonight’s NBA slate provides a reminder that the rest of the Central Division teams are trudging through underwhelming seasons.
It’s been a painful stretch for the depleted Indiana Pacers, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks are both falling short of expectations – and the Chicago Bulls are, well, the Chicago Bulls.
And yet, that division is where I’m looking for a couple of my favorite NBA player props and NBA picks on the December 29 slate, with wagers on Josh Giddey and Donovan Mitchell.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Josh Giddey |
Over 8.5 assists | -115 |
 Nikola Jokic |
Over 11.5 assists | -105 |
 Donovan Mitchell |
Over 32.5 points + assists | -115 |
Prop #1: Josh Giddey Over 8.5 assists
Josh Giddey leads the Chicago Bulls in points, assists, and rebounds, but I’m dialed in on his playmaking chops tonight against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
He’s had his fingerprints all over Chicago’s recent hot streak, five straight wins before Saturday’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, and he’s dished 9+ dimes in six of his last eight contests, including 15 in Atlanta last week.
While the Wolves have some tenacious defenders, Giddey will have ample opportunities as an offensive fulcrum, and there are plenty of assists up for grabs on a Bulls squad that ranks fourth in field-goal attempts and 10th in points per game.
With Coby White and Nikola Vucevic both shooting well, along with steady second-unit contributors, Giddey has no shortage of options as he bends the defense and finds open teammates.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FDSN North, CHSN
Prop #2: Nikola Jokic Over 11.5 assists
There aren’t many superlatives left to describe Nikola Jokic’s all-around excellence, but his passing still draws the biggest oohs and aahs. Tonight, he takes on a Miami Heat team that he crushed with a 33-16-15 line in November, and I’ll gladly take this Over on his assists haul here.
Jokic has served up 12+ dimes in five of his last six outings, even with the Denver Nuggets going 3-3 in that span, and that spells trouble for the Heat, who’ve given up 129+ points twice in the past 10 days.
Miami can throw Bam Adebayo and Kel’el Ware at the Joker assignment, but neither has the combined height and strength to limit his paint touches.
That will likely mean some double-teams, and I see the Nuggets cashing in on Jokic’s playmaking, despite injuries to Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson. As long as the three-time MVP has Jamal Murray next to him, a big assists tally remains in play.
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ALT2, FDSN Sun
Prop #3: Donovan Mitchell Over 32.5 points + assists
The Cleveland Cavaliers are 2-5 in their last seven games, and things get even tougher tonight with a visit to the red-hot San Antonio Spurs. Donovan Mitchell is coming off a quiet outing against the Houston Rockets over the weekend, but I expect Spida to shine under the prime-time lights.
He’s averaging 30.2 points per game this year, the fourth-highest mark in the league, and he’s nailed this combo Over in seven of his 11 contests in December.
With Evan Mobley still finding his feet after returning from a calf injury, plus some up-and-down outings from Darius Garland, Mitchell will have to be in attack mode. That should translate to 20+ shots, and he’s posted a 49% mark from the field this season.
Mitchell gave the Spurs fits earlier this month, finishing with 28 points and eight assists, and a similar stat line feels within reach for a proven bucket-getter who probably doesn’t get enough credit for his playmaking.
With Cleveland wobbling at 17-16, look for Mitchell to put the team on his back.
- Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: NBC
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