NBA Player Props and Best Bets: LeBron James, Jalen Johnson & More Picks for Friday, Jan. 9

It’s time to close the week out strong with my best NBA player prop picks for Friday’s action.

Julius Randle put up 28 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Cooper Flagg went for 26 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists despite the Dallas Mavericks’ loss to the Utah Jazz.

There’s a battle near the top of the Eastern Conference tonight as the Toronto Raptors visit the Boston Celtics. Later in the night, the Phoenix Suns will welcome the New York Knicks in an intriguing cross-conference matchup.

Here are my best NBA player prop picks and bets for Friday, Jan. 9.

Best NBA Prop Bets for Friday, January 9

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Carlton Carrington Over 5.5 Assists (-125) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Carrington only played in one game without CJ McCollum this season, and he finished it with 18 points, seven assists, and three rebounds. The 19-year-old only averaged 4.4 assists per game, but seeing as that one showing without McCollum, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks, was his last time on the court, I expect him to handle the facilitating duties.

The second-year pro doesn’t have a long history of beating this line, but he has consistently flashed a knack for setting the table for his teammates. He and the Washington Wizards are facing the New Orleans Pelicans, who ranked 28th in points and assists allowed per game over the last few weeks.

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Jalen Johnson Under 24.5 Points (-130) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Speaking of the Hawks, Johnson will also be in a position to take over the primary playmaking duties now that Trae Young appears to be on his way to the nation’s capital. While Johnson will be a first-time All-Star and averaged 23.5 points per game, I think he could take a step back tonight.

Johnson averaged 22.6 points per game without Young on the floor, and he’ll now have to be more of a playmaker. The Denver Nuggets were also right in the middle of the league in points and assists allowed per game since Nikola Jokic went down with his injury.

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Dillon Brooks Over 20.5 Points (-104) at FanDuel Sportsbook

“Dillon the Villain” pretty consistently alternated between the over and the under over the last few weeks, and he scored 21 points on a poor 36.4 percent shooting in his last game. He and the Suns have not yet faced the New York Knicks, who dropped to 20th in points allowed per game over their last 15 outings.

The Knicks have a serious defensive liability in Jalen Brunson on the floor, who Phoenix guard Devin Booker will look to attack. I anticipate that will force rotations and help from the wings, OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, both of whom should guard Brooks, leaving him with more space and extra scoring opportunities.

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LeBron James Over 22.5 Points (-114) at FanDuel Sportsbook

LeBron was excellent to start December, scoring 31, 26, and 30 points on 58.8 percent shooting. He also went over in five of seven games immediately before that, despite only averaging 21.7 points per game for the year.

James sat out of the Los Angeles Lakers’ last game, giving him extra rest before tonight’s clash with the Milwaukee Bucks. His opponent kept teams to the 10th-fewest points per game over their last 15 contests, but LA’s lack of credible scoring threats means that James and Luka Doncic will both have to be aggressive as scorers.

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Aaron Wiggins Over 15.5 Points (-130) at FanDuel Sportsbook

Wiggins has proven himself to be a bit of a garbage-game reaper, meaning that he’s been outstanding in games without his superstar teammates. He went over this line in six straight games without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will miss tonight’s game, on the floor.

The 27-year-old only averaged 10.2 points per game, but with Gilgeous-Alexander, Cason Wallace, Chet Holmgren, and Isaiah Hartenstein all out, he can be expected to play much more than his customary 22.6 minutes. He shot 39.1 percent from three this year, and he’s in a strong position to go over this line.

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