NBA Best Bets For Monday, Dec. 30: Back Derrick Jones Jr.’s Scoring
The NBA has seven games on the schedule for Monday, Dec. 30. The top game is a matchup between old rivals Cleveland and Golden State.
Keep reading for NBA best bets below, and bet with your favorite sportsbook apps.
NBA Best Bets For Monday, Dec. 30
Check out three bets below for Monday’s NBA games.
Derrick Jones Jr. 10+ Points (+110 DraftKings) & 12+ Points (+205 DraftKings)
Although Derrick Jones Jr. is certainly not known for his scoring, it’s a great matchup for the offseason acquisition.
Opponents are converting a massive 64.5% of their shots at the rim against New Orleans’ defense largely because Yves Missi and Daniel Theis are mediocre rim protectors. The Pelicans subsequently are allowing the second-most points per game at the rim.
They also are conceding the third-most shots per game from the corners, along with the fourth-most wide open triples. Stationary spot-up shooters frequently burn them.
A monstrous 76.7% of Jones Jr.’s field goal attempts have come from the corners or at the rim, so he’s set up for a huge night. His athleticism should make him a nightmare for the Pelicans, especially in transition.
He has reached 10+ points in 15 of 29 games and 12+ points in 11 of 29 games. I recommend playing the former at one unit and the latter at half a unit.
PJ Washington Over 2.5 1st Quarter Points (-125 FanDuel)
Sacramento’s defense is allowing the eighth-most catch-and-shoot jumpers in the league, and PJ Washington is knocking down 42.5% of his C&S triples on decent volume. Bigger, physical forwards have also found success against the Kings.
Meanwhile, Luka Doncic will miss the contest with a calf injury. In nine games this season without Doncic, Washington has averaged 5.4 points and four field goal attempts per game in the first quarter. He reached three-plus points in eight of those nine games!
This line is a steal to me, and I would play it at one and a half units.
Same-Game Parlay (+112 DraftKings): Mark Williams 12+ Points & Bulls Moneyline
The Hornets are starting to increase Mark Williams’ minutes after previously easing him back into action. He played 22 and 26 minutes over his last two games, so Charlotte seems comfortable with his ability to handle the extra usage.
Williams will face a Bulls defense that is allowing the most points to rollers, the 10th-most points to put-backs, and the 11th-most points to cutters. Eighty-five percent of his total points this season have come from these three play types, and Nikola Vucevic is no match for Williams’ athleticism. Look for a big night from Charlotte’s center.
Overall, he has scored 12+ points in five of six games where he saw 17+ minutes.
Although I expect Williams to produce, the same cannot be said of the Hornets as a team. LaMelo Ball, Brandon Miller, and Cody Martin are all sidelined. That’s an immense blow to their offense, and it’s worth noting that Charlotte has scored just 98 and 94 points in two games this season sans Ball and Miller.
On the other hand, the Bulls will be at close to full strength. They quietly rank 11th in offensive rating and project to match up well with Charlotte’s awful defense here.
