Welcome to ‘Lock of the Day’, where I’ll be representing The Athletes Hub with the latest trends in sports betting. Be sure to check in daily for which bets are considered locks:
January 1st: Nikola Vucevic OVER 33.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists vs Washington Wizards
The Chicago Bulls are riding a six-game win streak entering the new year and face the Washington Wizards, who are coming off a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday. Washington is 23rd in points allowed in the paint this season and will be without Thomas Bryant, Rui Hachimura, and Montrezl Harrell. Vucevic has totaled 15+ rebounds in each of his last four games and should be in line to score 18+ points on Saturday night. Even at the bare minimum of 18 points and 15 rebounds, the assist total for Vucevic should push him over the 33.5 PRA mark.
Result: 22 Points + 12 Rebounds + 1 Assist = 35 PRA
January 1st: Jrue Holiday OVER 25.5 Points + Assists vs New Orleans Pelicans
Two weeks ago, Holiday put up 40 points across an absurd 36 attempts from the field against the New Orleans Pelicans. It’s worth nothing that in the game, both Giannis Anteokounmpo and Khris Middleton were absent. On Saturday night, the Milwaukee Bucks will be without Middleton once again, leaving volume opportunities for Holiday. The Pelicans are 24th in defensive efficiency this season and Holiday has made 8+ baskets in each of his last eight contests. Oddly enough, during that stretch, Holiday has averaged eight assists per game.
Result: 21 Points + 6 Assists = 27 PA
January 2nd: Joe Mixon UNDER 71.5 Rushing Yards vs Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are below the league average when it comes to defending the rush, but the Bengals haven’t given Mixon the opportunities as of late. Mixon hasn’t reached 20+ carries in 11 of the last 13 games and are coming off a Week 16 win over the Baltimore Ravens in which Joe Burrow threw for 525 yards and four touchdowns. It’s also worth noting that Mixon has come short of the 71.5 mark in each of the last four games, including a matchup against the 29th-ranked Los Angeles Chargers defense.
Result: 46 Rushing Yards
January 2nd: Deebo Samuel OVER 44.5 Receiving Yards vs Houston Texans
For someone who totaled nine receptions for 159 receiving yards last week, this number seems borderline disrespectful. The Houston Texans have allowed the 10th-most receiving yards this set and Samuel has hit the 44.5 mark in 11 of his last 14 games. Even if Samuel carries rushing responsibilities for the San Francisco 49ers this weekend, this prop will still increase before kickoff on Sunday.
Result: 63 Receiving Yards
January 2nd: Tua Tagovailoa UNDER 241.5 Passing Yards vs Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans have a chance to clinch the AFC South today at home against the Miami Dolphins, but another headline will be the weather. With an expected combination of rain, snow, and wind, Tagovailoa is going to have to earn each passing yard this afternoon. In games where Tagovailoa reaches the 241.5 mark this season, he averages 40.25 pass attempts per game. Tagovailoa has attempted 40+ passes once in the last seven games, while the Titans defense is 11th over the last three games in opponent yards per completion.
Result: 205 Passing Yards
