NBA player prop picks and King of the Court predictions - December 25

People like to say the NBA season doesn’t really begin until Christmas Day, and this year delivers plenty of top-notch action. The holiday slate features five matchups, with big names like LeBron James, Anthony Edwards and Jalen Brunson stepping into the spotlight. As if the day wasn’t exciting enough, DraftKings’ King of the Court promotion takes it up a notch for player prop bettors. Place a pre-match player prop bet on any NBA player market, and if your chosen player leads the league in Points + Rebounds + Assists (PRA) for the day, you’ll win a share of $2 million in bonus bets!

With that in mind, we’re diving into three key NBA player prop picks for Christmas Day, all with excellent value and the potential to crown one of these players as King of the Court.

Predictions

Pick #1: Jalen Brunson to score 25+ points (-115)

Pick #2: Anthony Edwards to make 4+ three pointers (+100)

Pick #3: LeBron James to record 40+ PRA (+100)

Pick #1: Jalen Brunson to score 25+ points (-115)

The Christmas Day festivities tip off with the Knicks hosting the Spurs at Madison Square Garden at 12:00 PM ET. Jalen Brunson leads the way for New York and is primed for a big performance in the spotlight. Brunson has been a steady offensive force for the Knicks this season, averaging 24.6 points per game. While he had a quieter outing in Monday’s win, scoring just 12 points, he’s been red-hot in December, including a 39-point eruption two games ago. With San Antonio’s defense ranked 16th in the league, Brunson should have plenty of opportunities to dominate.

This matchup also suits Brunson’s game perfectly. He’ll likely be guarded by Chris Paul, who struggles to keep up with younger, more physical guards. Playing at home, under the bright lights of Madison Square Garden, gives Brunson an extra edge. Don’t be surprised if he takes over and leads the Knicks to a convincing win. And if Brunson gets hot, he’s a serious candidate for King of the Court. His ability to rack up assists and rebounds on top of his scoring makes him a legitimate contender to lead the league in PRA for the day.

Pick #2: Anthony Edwards to make 4+ three pointers (+100)

The Timberwolves take on the Mavericks in the second game of the Christmas slate, tipping off at 2:30 PM ET. This matchup is all about Anthony Edwards, who thrives in big moments – and his first career Christmas Day appearance is no exception. Edwards exploded for 37 points the last time these teams met, going 7-for-13 from three-point range. This season, he’s taken his three-point shooting to another level, averaging 10 attempts per game and knocking down 4.1 per contest at a scorching 41.4% clip.

Given his big personality and ability to rise to the occasion, Edwards feels like a lock to put on a show. The Mavericks’ defense has been shaky at times, especially against dynamic scorers like Edwards, who can shoot from deep, drive to the rim and create his own looks. With the Wolves struggling to find their rhythm this season, they’ll likely lean heavily on Edwards to carry them offensively. At +100 odds, the value is hard to ignore. Edwards’ ability to fill the stat sheet with rebounds and assists also makes him a strong candidate for King of the Court. If he gets hot from three, he could easily end up leading the day in PRA.

Pick #3: LeBron James to record 40+ PRA (+100)

No NBA Christmas Day would be complete without LeBron James. The Lakers’ superstar will take the court against the Warriors in the fourth game of the day, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET. LeBron has been a force on Christmas Day throughout his career, averaging 26.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in 18 appearances. He holds the all-time record for most Christmas Day points (476) and needs just 24 more to reach 500 – a milestone he’s undoubtedly aware of.

This season, LeBron is averaging 23.2 points, 8 rebounds and 9 assists per game. Even at 39 years old, he remains one of the most consistent players in the league. Against a Warriors team that has struggled lately (3-7 in their last 10), LeBron is in a prime spot to dominate. The odds for LeBron to record 40+ PRA at +100 are great value, especially considering his motivation to shine on a national stage. As a player who consistently fills every column of the stat sheet, LeBron is always a threat to top the leaderboard in PRA – and potentially claim the King of the Court title for Christmas Day.