In Thursday night's NBA action, there are only two games scheduled, but they promise to be exciting matchups with superstar players on display. The first game features the San Antonio Spurs taking on the Milwaukee Bucks, and one player to watch in this game is Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama. Despite facing tough defenses in his last few games, Wembanyama has managed to score at least 20 points in each of his last three games. He dropped an impressive 30 points against the Portland Trail Blazers, showing his ability to excel even against tough opponents. Although he has been on a minutes restriction due to an ankle sprain, Wembanyama has still managed to surpass his points projection. In this game against the Bucks, who have struggled defensively this season, Wembanyama should have plenty of opportunities to score, especially with the fast pace at which the Bucks play.

The second game of the night features the Denver Nuggets facing off against the Golden State Warriors. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is a player to watch in this matchup, particularly in terms of his assist numbers. Murray has been exceeding his assist projection in his last three games, dishing out nine assists against the Memphis Grizzlies, 11 assists against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and seven assists against the Chicago Bulls. With a matchup against the Warriors, who have a below-average defensive rating, Murray should have a good opportunity to continue his impressive assist streak.

On the Warriors' side, rookie Jonathan Kuminga has been making an impact since being inserted into the starting lineup. With more minutes and increased rebound opportunities, Kuminga has been averaging 5.5 rebounds per game. In his last two games, he grabbed nine boards against the Dallas Mavericks and six boards against the Orlando Magic. Although the Nuggets rank seventh in rebound rate, Kuminga's new role as a starter should give him a good chance to surpass his rebound projection.

Moving on to Wednesday's NBA action, there are 12 games on the schedule to kick off the new year. One player to keep an eye on is Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green, who has been given a fantastic opportunity due to teammate Dillon Brooks' absence. With Brooks out, Green has a chance to dominate the ball and put up big numbers. The matchup against the Brooklyn Nets, who have a below-average defensive rating, further enhances Green's potential for a strong performance. Without Brooks on the floor, Green has seen a significant increase in usage, leading to more points and 3-pointers made per 36 minutes. Green's ability to score from beyond the arc makes the over 2.5 3-pointers made projection an enticing choice.

Another player to watch on Wednesday is Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. The Jazz have been playing better basketball recently, winning five of their last six games. With a favorable matchup against the Detroit Pistons, who have a poor defensive rating, Markkanen should have ample playing time to exceed his points projection. In games where he has played at least 34 minutes, Markkanen has surpassed the 22.5 points mark in nine out of 11 games. Despite facing tough defenses in previous matchups, Markkanen has consistently produced, and the Pistons' weak defense should only enhance his chances of hitting the over.

Lastly, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards has been on a hot streak lately, but his points projection of 28.5 seems a bit too high for this matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have been solid defensively this season, ranking seventh in overall defensive rating and second in their last 10 games. With their length and defensive prowess, the Pelicans will likely present a challenge for Edwards. Additionally, the game total for this matchup is relatively low compared to other games on Wednesday's slate, indicating a potentially lower-scoring affair. While Edwards has been scoring well this season, the combination of the Pelicans' defense and the lower-scoring nature of the game makes the under 28.5 points projection a reasonable choice.

As the NBA season continues, fans and bettors alike will be eagerly watching these players and their performances in the upcoming games. With the potential for breakout performances and exciting matchups, there is no shortage of excitement in the world of NBA basketball.