NBA Best Bets: Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans Top Prop Bets on Thursday 12/11/25
Bryan Armetta shares his two favorite player props on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s Portland Trail Blazers vs. New Orleans Pelicans matchup.
Two Western Conference also-rans are set to clash on Thursday. Although these two clubs don’t have many wins, there are some intriguing players set to take the floor. Portland, even at 9-15, still has a shot at reaching the play-in, if not better. New Orleans, 3-22, doesn’t have that luxury. However, with Zion Williamson out, there’s ample opportunity for some other Pelicans to chip in.
Which names will step up tonight? The Trail Blazers are favored by 3.5 points (-115) over the Pelicans, with the over/under set at 240.5 points. Here are two of the top prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Thursday’s Tail Blazers vs. Pelicans matchup.
Trail Blazers vs. Pelicans prop bet picks
Deni Avdija 44+ points + rebounds + assists (-114)
Portland loves to play fast, posting the NBA’s third-fastest pace on offense (102.2). That’s led to some high-scoring shootouts, and inflated statistics for the team’s top players. Deni Avdija has been the biggest beneficiary, averaging 25.8 points per game on 48/38/81 shooting splits. In addition, the wing has notched 7.2 rebounds and 6.3 assists. That level of all-around production, as a number one option, is impressive. In five of Avdija’s last six games, he’s accounted for at least 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Portland’s do-it-all forward has proven to be a statistical monster. That should lead to even more production against a feeble Pelicans defense. New Orleans ranks inside the NBA’s bottom ten in points (123.7), rebounds (55.0), and assists (29.0) allowed per game. Despite the presence of All-Defense selection Herb Jones (more on him later), the Pels don’t offer much resistance. Avdija has tallied at least 44 points + rebounds + assists in four of his previous six games. All signs are pointing to a busy evening on the bayou for Portland’s leading man.
Herb Jones 10+ points (-121)
As previously mentioned, Jones will suit up tonight for an otherwise shorthanded Pelicans squad. Zion Williamson (adductor) is out while Jordan Poole (quads) is questionable to play. Even if the latter is active, he’s unlikely to handle a full workload. That should create more opportunity for the rest of New Orleans’s roster. Granted, Jones has never been an elite bucket-getter. The fifth-year pro has posted 9.9 points per game to go with 40/35/79 shooting splits.
On Monday, Jones recorded 17 points on six of ten shooting against the Spurs. It was the 27-year-old’s first outing in over two weeks, yet there didn’t seem to be any rust. Now, without Zion, there’s far less internal competition for touches. The two-way threat has produced at least 11 points in ten of his 17 appearances so far. Portland will be without Jrue Holiday (calf), its top perimeter defender, on Thursday. Even with the guard active, this was a below-average unit. This season, the Trail Blazers have given up the sixth-most points per game in basketball (120.6). Jones is well-positioned to go over this modest total tonight.
