I've got prop picks for three different games during the NBA Sunday slate.
Tonight's NBA props narrative: That includes two picks from the late games, featuring LeBron James against the Sacramento Kings. Before that, look for Jalen Duren to get back on track when the Detroit Pistons take on the Los Angeles Clippers.
Check out my top NBA prop picks for Dec. 28, featuring a prediction on Jaren Jackson Jr.
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NBA prop picks Dec. 28
Best bet: Jackson Jr. over 19.5 points (-114)
This is a great matchup for big men, and Jackson has been red-hot lately.
Firstly, let's look at the Washington Wizards. They allow the second most points to centres and the fifth most points to power forwards.
Jackson should spend his time playing both positions. That'll give him every opportunity to cook.
-> See full props for Grizzlies vs. Wizards!
He's gone over this total in five of the last six games, shooting 52.1% from the field and 51.9% from 3.
Overall, the Wizards are a terrible defensive team, ranking dead last in the NBA in defensive efficiency.
There's room for multiple players on the Grizzlies to have good games, and Jackson is a huge focal point in their offensive game plan.
Key stat: When the Grizzlies played the Wizards on Dec. 20, Jackson had 22 points.
Best NBA picks
James over 22.5 points (-120): LeBron is rounding into form after missing the first portion of the season recovering from an injury.
He's now played 13 games this season, but he's done his best work in the last seven.
- During that time, James is averaging 25.6 points.
- He's 5-2 against this line in those games.
-> Full betting markets for Sunday's NBA slate
The Sacramento Kings are a bad defensive team, owning the fourth-worst defensive rating (120.4).
Plus, they play at a top-10 pace, meaning there should be plenty of volume to spread among the Lakers' trio of stars.
NBA player prop predictions
Duren over 17.5 points (-117): Duren finished well below this mark last game, thanks to some foul trouble.
But he was still efficient in getting his 11 points, shooting 5-of-7 from the field. He also averaged 24.5 points in the two games before that.
Duren is having a true breakout season, averaging 18.3 points and 10.8 rebounds.
-> Bet on Jalen Duren in Pistons vs. Clippers on Sunday night!
That scoring number is up from 11.8 points last year.
On Sunday, he gets to go up against the 9-21 Clippers. They have struggled on defence and hold the sixth-worst defensive rating (119.7).
Starting centre Ivica Zubac is a great defender, but he's out for this contest, leaving no valid options to guard Duren in the paint.
NBA prop picks made at 11:10 a.m. ET on Dec. 28, 2025.
