NBA prop picks December 26: Count on Ball to hit threes

Ever since Ball returned from an ankle damage he has been sizzling, particularly from behind the road.

He’s hit this over in eight of 9 video games this season after averaging 2.5 threes per recreation in his profession earlier than this 2022-23.

On the floor that smells like a small-sample-size fluke pushed by sizzling taking pictures, nevertheless it’s clear that Ball has modified his strategy. His 3-point share in 2022-23 (38.2%) is worse than his long-distance effectivity final 12 months (38.9%), however he’s taking pictures way more threes.

To this point this 12 months Ball has averaged 11.3 makes an attempt from past the arc per recreation, a quantity topped by solely Steph Curry. He’s tried extra threes in each recreation this 12 months than he did on common in 2021-22 (7.5).

As small as this pattern is, it’s clear that the younger level guard is set to make it rain from downtown. Contemplating how efficient that’s been there’s no cause for him to cease.

The Portland Path Blazers are unlikely to convey an finish to the barrage both as they rank seventeenth within the NBA in 3-point share allowed (35.7%).

Key stat: Ball averages 4.3 made 3-pointers per recreation this season.

Fast picks

Williamson over 26.5 factors (-112): Zion has cleared the NBA’s well being and security protocols and he’s poised to place up large numbers in his return. The dominant energy ahead has averaged 28.6 factors in his final 11 video games with New Orleans Pelicans co-star Brandon Ingram out, and he’s prone to choose up the place he left off.

His Monday opponent — the Indiana Pacers — shouldn’t current an excessive amount of of a problem for Williamson contemplating they rank twentieth within the NBA in scoring defence and nineteenth in factors within the paint allowed. The 22-year-old ought to discover room to function down low and hit this over for the eighth time in 12 video games.

Mitchell over 3.5 rebounds (-124): Mitchell isn’t identified for his rebounding, however this line doesn’t ask an excessive amount of of him. The star taking pictures guard has hit this over in six of his final 9 video games and 56.7% of his appearances total.

He’ll be helped on Monday by taking part in a Brooklyn Nets staff with the worst rebounding fee within the NBA at 47.6%. We’re not anticipating a monster day on the glass, however Mitchell ought to get his.

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