NBA Player Props & Picks: Fade Buddy Hield, Target LaMelo Ball Sunday (December 18)

World Cup Final? Pass. Week 15 of the NFL season? Nope.

If you're reading this, it means you are looking for some NBA player props on a rather busy Sunday afternoon, and bless your heart, we've got two for you.

Today, we're eyeing two guards in two separate games with one under bet and one over play. Even better, both of these props are plus money. Who doesn't love that?

Check out the two player props and picks below.

NBA Player Props & Picks

Knicks vs.

Pacers

Buddy Hield, Under 2.5 Assists (+100)

When you think of Buddy Hield's skills as a basketball player, passing likely isn't among the images that come to mind. Hield is a professional shooter and a pretty good scorer. But passer? Not so much.

With leading NBA assist man Tyrese Haliburton in the starting lineup next to him, there's no reason for Hield to rack up dimes. And while this line is in line with his season average, we're getting even odds on the under here, which stands out.

Hield has gone under 2.5 assists 17 times in 30 games this season. In his last 10 games, he's gone under in six.

According to NBA Advanced Stats, Hield averages 32 minutes per game and registers 5.6 potential assists per game – less than T.J. McConnell (9.3) and Andrew Nembhard (7.5), who both play fewer minutes.

Again, this number isn't high, but given Hield's game and the odds, I think there's value in fading him as a passer today.

Bet the Under Instantly at FanDuel With QuickSlip!

Hornets vs.

Nuggets

LaMelo Ball, Over 3.5 3-Pointers (+115)

LaMelo Ball, due to an unlucky injury in the preseason that lingered into the regular season, has played in just five games this season. In those five games, he has made a total of … wait for it … 22 3-pointers!

Ball is averaging 4.4 3-point makes on 11.6 attempts per game, which is in the Damian Lillard/Stephen Curry tier of ridiculous. The only game he didn't hit the over on this number was his season debut.

This pairs perfectly with a Denver Nuggets team that is getting absolutely torched lately from behind the arc.

In the month of December, the Nuggets allow the second-highest opponent 3-point percentage (41.2%) in the NBA — funny enough the Hornets are the only team with a worse mark over that span — despite being 13th in opponent attempts, per NBA Advanced Stats.

I have faith in Ball putting up a ton of attempts and a lack of confidence that the Nuggets can guard the perimeter, which showed in their game against the Los Angeles Lakers Friday that featured open look after open look.

At plus odds, I'm more than happy to ride with Ball in this spot.