It’s a relatively quiet Sunday in the NBA with just six games on the docket, but there’s still plenty of talent on display, including Michael Porter Jr. of the Brooklyn Nets.
Find my top three NBA picks for Sunday, December 21 below.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Jalen Johnson |
Over 18.5 assists + rebounds | -115 |
 Norman Powell |
Under 24.5 points | -120 |
 Michael Porter Jr. |
Over 24.5 points | -115 |
Prop #1: Jalen Johnson Over 18.5 assists + rebounds
"Breakout season" might be an understatement for Jalen Johnson, who’s averaging basically a triple double per game in December with 24 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists over his last seven contests.
The Atlanta Hawks forward has posted Over 18.5 assists and rebounds in eight of his last nine games, and I expect him to lead the way in both categories this afternoon vs. the Chicago Bulls.
Chicago is one of the NBA’s weakest defensive teams, allowing 122 ppg — the sixth-worst mark in the league. The Bulls are also bad on the boards as they give up the sixth-most rebounds per game (46).
All of that adds up to a bunch of points for the Hawks, as well as a bunch of rebound and assists for Johnson.
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Chicago Sports Network, FanDuel Sports Network SE-ATL
Prop #2: Norman Powell Under 24.5 points
Norman Powell is in the midst of his most productive professional season at 32 years of age, but the Miami Heat guard is slowing down as we approach the holidays.
Powell has logged Under 24.5 points in five straight games while shooting just over 46% from the field in December, his worst month of the season so far.
Things won’t get any easier for Powell tonight against the New York Knicks, who are the fifth-stingiest defensive team in the NBA, giving up just 112.4 ppg.
With Tyler Herro sidelined, the Knicks will be able to focus all of their attention on shutting Powell down, and I suspect they’ll succeed.
- Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: FanDuel Sports Network SUN, MSG
Prop #3: Michael Porter Jr. Over 24.5 points
The Brooklyn Nets are not a good team with just seven wins on the season, but Michael Porter Jr. is doing his best to keep things entertaining.
The Nets forward has been a one-man show this month, scoring 29.5 ppg while averaging five threes per contest. He’s also posted Over 24.5 points in nine of his last 11 games.
Porter Jr. should be able to take advantage of a Toronto Raptors squad that’s traveling into Brooklyn on the second half of a back-to-back after losing to the Celtics last night.
- Time: 6:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: YES, TSN
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