Victor Wembanyama props, odds, and best bet: Expect the rookie to put up points vs. Lakers

The San Antonio Spurs have a chance to snap a 17-game losing streak as Victor Wembanyama gets ready to face a tired Los Angeles Lakers squad. 

The pregame narrative: Wembanyama has been one of the only bright spots for the Spurs this season. Despite the lack of team success, the rookie continues to prove himself as a reliable scoring option. The Lakers are playing their second game in as many nights, leaving Wembanyama the opportunity to exploit a tired defence. 

Victor Wembanyama props

NBA oddsas of 4:00 p.m. ET on 12/13/2023.

It’s no secret that the 3-19 Spurs are experiencing one of their worst starts in franchise history, and that makes Wembanyama's consistency all the more impressive.

The 7-foot-4 rookie notched his fifth double-double in a row on Monday and has seven in his last 10 games. He has become even more of a force in the paint recently, totalling 38 rebounds over the Spurs’ last pair of games.

Wembanyama has lived up to his lofty expectations and, alongside Chet Holmgren, has been the best of this year's rookie crop.

The Lakers are a strong defensive team that rebounds well, so expectations should be tempered on Wembanyama's output on the glass after he grabbed 18 last game and 20 the one before.

But we do expect Wembanyama to perform and are recommending a play on him.

Victor Wembanyama best bet

Best Bet: Over 20.5 points (-118)

Wembanyama is averaging 18.8 points per game but has cleared this line in five of his last seven games, and should have a good chance to go over this number again tonight.

Los Angeles has been slightly below average in opponent points per game on the road (117.1, 19th in the NBA), and the team has allowed the fourth-most first-quarter points (30.6). In both of the Lakers' past two road games, they’ve allowed 30 or more points in the first.

Combine this with Wembanyama averaging five points per first quarter on 42.5% from the field, and it shows the rookie has a chance to score early and start chipping away at this number right away. 

Wembanyama is averaging almost three more points per game at home (20.2) than on the road this season (17.3). Over the last three games at Frost Bank Center, he has scored 21, 21 and 22, respectively. 

With the Spurs desperate to break a 17-game losing streak, don't expect coach Greg Popovich to be stingy with how he deploys his starting unit. If he can use those extra minutes effectively, Wembanyama has a good chance to go over this scoring prop.

Damien Lisi writes about sports betting for NorthStar Bets. The Star's parent company has a minority interest in NorthStar Bets.