NBA Best Bets & Player Props January 3: Jalen Duren is Set to Crash the Boards
More Meat Loaf, ‘but two out of three ain’t bad’. Jonas Valanciunas reminded us why you should not doubt his rebounding skills, even when his minutes are down and up against a tough rebounding team. However, Franz Wagner and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander came through and made another profitable day for 2024.
There are twelve NBA games today, meaning most of the league is in action tonight. There are seven teams on the second of back-to-back games and Fantasy Alarm NBA Best Bets focuses on two of those games, the New Orleans Pelicans at Minnesota Timberwolves and Brooklyn Nets at Houston Rockets. There is also a bet against the Memphis Grizzlies who are on back-to-back games and hosting the Toronto Raptors. The Bet of Night features someone who has led to three successful bets, Jalen Duren versus the Utah Jazz.
NBA Bet of the Night
Jalen Duren OVER 11.5 Rebounds (-130 at BetMGM)
This has become an automatic bet as of late, and let it be a reminder we are betting on this bet until he is no longer successful at his rebounding line. The sportsbooks moved his line up to 12.5 in his previous match, and they paid out massively on the plus money. They have since moved the line down and added some chalk, all fine by us. To quote the Hall of Fame linebacker and former NFL head coach Mike Singletary, ‘I WANT WINNERS!’
Jalen Duren's over 11.5 rebounds have been just that. The former Memphis Tiger has fourteen or more rebounds since returning to action on December twenty-sixth. The Utah Jazz are a tough team to rebound against and have allowed the fifth-fewest points to opposing centers. This does not put fear into laying the wager. The line moved down, he is the Pistons pivotal player as he has kept most of their games competitive and will be battling for boards to help contribute to a possible win. In Jalen we trust.
NBA Prop Bet of the Night
Scottie Barnes OVER 20.5 Points (-105 at DraftKings)
Scottie Barnes is another column favorite, as he is a great rebounder and point scorer for the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors recently traded for Immanuel Quickly and RJ Barrett, and although this could take away from Barnes playing time and points, as of yet it has done neither. He went over thirty-three minutes in every game of December and has averaged over thirty-six minutes in his last two games.
The Raptors play the Memphis Grizzlies, who although at home are on the second of back-to-back games. They have not given out an injury/rest report and this line is tight with a one-point spread. The Memphis Grizzlies allow the eleventh most points to the point guard position, although Barnes is capable of playing as a forward as well. Memphis allows 113.4 points and Scottie Barnes will be a better player than they saw last night against the San Antonio Spurs.
NBA Parlay of the Night
Minnesota Timberwolves -6.5 & Houston Rockets -4.5 (+222 at BetMGM)
There are several teams in back-to-back games, but the Houston Rockets and Minnesota Timberwolves have a slight advantage in their home record. The Minnesota Timberwolves are 14-1 at the Target Center and the Houston Rockets are 13-5 at the Toyota Center. Inversely the New Orleans Pelicans are 8-7 in away games, and the Brooklyn Nets are 6-11. The Pelicans could be resting Zion Williamson, and Jonas Valanciunas, and restricting CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram’s minutes. Even if they do play, playing against the best team in the Western Conference, at home is a tall task for a team that can be extremely streaky.
The Brooklyn Nets played the New Orleans Pelicans last night and are going to a scenario against a tough defense with a better center. Valanciunas and Larry Nance destroyed them in the front court, and Alperen Sengun should take advantage of the same situation. Dillon Brooks will make the guards of Spencer Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges force turnovers. The Rockets are also well-rested. This line was -5.5 but I noticed it at -5 on other sportsbooks, therefore the Rockets line is teased down one point but still brings fantastic odds for the home teams to cover against visiting teams on back-to-back nights.
Remember to check out Fantasy Alarm for all your fantasy and betting needs. Several #FAmily fantasy football championships have been noticed across social media, and Fantasy Alarm wants to help you across all your fantasy sports.
Thank you for reading.
Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy
*All Bets to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise
Player News
ESPN’s Shams Charania reports Mikal Bridges and the Knicks have agreed to a four-year extension worth $150 million.
With the 2025-26 season being the last on his current contract, this was an important summer for the Knicks to lock in Bridges as a member of the team’s core moving forward. His reported contract extension includes a player option for the final season (2029-30) and a trade kicker if he were to be dealt at any point. In his first season with the Knicks, Bridges started all 82 regular-season games, averaging 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.9 steals and 2.0 three-pointers in 37.0 minutes. Continuing to serve as a key member of the Knicks’ starting lineup, Bridges is a safe bet to offer middle-round value in standard fantasy leagues next season.
Ayo Dosunmu (shoulder) expects to be ready for the start of training camp in late September.
Dosunmu underwent left shoulder surgery in March and was given a recovery timeline of four to six months. According to Julia Poe of the Chicago Tribune, the Bulls guard said at a recent charity event that he’s feeling good and expects to be a full go when training camp opens in late September. “I feel great,” Dosunmu said, according to the Tribune. “I feel right on schedule if not ahead. I’m just excited for these next couple of months to really get in even better shape and be able to go out there.” He was cleared for full contact in July and will factor into Chicago’s rotation as a starter or as the first guard off the bench. Dosunmu offered 11th-round value in nine-cat formats when healthy and will be worth grabbing with a late-round pick in standard leagues.
Pelicans signed G/F Bryce McGowens to a two-way contract.
McGowens moves to New Orleans after spending the 2024-25 season with the Trail Blazers. While he spent most of his time with the team’s G League affiliate, he appeared in 13 games for Portland, averaging 2.5 minutes per appearance. Due to New Orleans’ perimeter depth, McGowens is unlikely to be a fantasy asset next season. The Pelicans have filled all three two-way slots, with Trey Alexander and Hunter Dickinson occupying the other two.
ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater report Jonathan Kuminga will continue declining Golden State’s current offer of two years, $45 million.
The deal reportedly includes a team option for the second year and will not include a no-trade clause. Kuminga has received more lucrative offers from the Kings and Suns, with offers reaching up to four years and $90 million via sign-and-trade. Golden State appears to be firm in its offer, while Kuminga doesn’t want to cede too much control to a franchise he believes has “stunted” his growth and “strung his career along” for the last four seasons. This is shaping up to be contentious negotiation, and it might get worse before it gets better. Buckle up.
Kristaps Porziņģis (illness) said during an interview on Monday that he feels “great” after struggling with illness during this past spring’s playoffs.
Porziņģis was sidelined by an illness late in the regular season and never seemed to get back on track physically. The 7-foot-2 forward/center struggled with fatigue, which limited his playing time as the Celtics were ultimately eliminated in the second round. Traded to the Hawks just before the draft, Porziņģis said he did not do much during June, and the time off has been beneficial. Porziņģis is preparing to represent Latvia at FIBA EuroBasket, which begins in late August. A healthy Porziņģis can be an excellent fantasy asset next season, playing off of Trae Young and sharing the frontcourt with Jalen Johnson and Onyeka Okongwu. However, his medical history will likely impact his value in fantasy drafts.
Armel Traoré has agreed to a two-year deal with French club ASVEL.
After playing multiple professional seasons in France, Traoré agreed to a two-way deal with the Lakers last June. He only appeared in nine games last season, averaging 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds in 7.4 minutes. Traoré stands to take on a more prominent role with ASVEL than he would have enjoyed with any NBA team in 2025-26.