RADIO
As always, the NBA has a killer schedule set for Christmas Day and once the gifts are opened, you can play props on Monkey Knife Fight to add some excitement.
The five-game schedule starts with the Boston Celtics in Toronto to face the defending-champion Raptors. They are also the injury-depleted Raptors with at least four rotation regulars out of the lineup right now.
Two more top teams in the East tip off when the Milwaukee Bucks visit the Philadelphia 76ers. Giannis vs. Embiid.
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The third game of the day was a lot more promising in the offseason, before Golden State’s season fell flat, but the Warriors are hosting the Houston Rockets.
That leads into the primetime matchup of the day, with the Los Angeles Clippers visiting the Los Angeles Lakers. Two of the best teams in the league with massive star power including LeBron James, Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George.
The last game of the day will see the New Orleans Pelicans in Denver to face the Nuggets. The league was probably hoping for this to put a big spotlight on Zion Williamson but the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 Draft has yet to play this season as he recovers from knee surgery.
Here are some angles to consider before making your Star Shootout Monkey Knife Fight prop picks for Christmas Day NBA action.
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STAR SHOOTOUT
MORE OR LESS
James Harden MORE THAN 38.5 POINTS – This number is just below Harden’s season scoring average of 38.6 points per game but he’s been even better on the road (40.8 points per game) and the Warriors are not good. The Rockets might try to rest Harden if they build a big lead but he’s scored at least 39 points in six of the past 12 games.
Giannis Antetokounmpo LESS THAN 32.5 POINTS – This is a big number for The Greek Freak, who has averaged 31.2 points per game on the road and has scored 33 or more points in seven of his past 14 games. The Sixers can D up and have the size to at least contain Giannis.
Russell Westbrook MORE THAN 25.5 POINTS – Westbrook is averaging 23.9 points per game on the road this season but has been on a good run recently, averaging 32.3 points per game in the past four overall. The Warriors don’t seem like the team capable of ending Westbrook’s hot streak so let’s expect more than 25 points.
Paul George LESS THAN 24.5 POINTS – This is George’s first meeting with the Lakers as a member of the Clippers and he’s averaging 23.1 points per game on the road this season. It’s not a long trip to this road game but it will still be a Lakers crowd and the Lakers are allowing the fourth-fewest points per game (104.9) this season.
LeBron James MORE THAN 24.5 POINTS – A back injury kept LeBron out of the lineup Sunday against Denver so if the back is still bothering him that could work against him and he was held under 24 points in his last two games. At the same time, if LeBron is going to play a Christmas Day game against the Clippers, it stands to reason that he’s going to end up taking a lot of shots and be a focal point of the Lakers offense.
Kemba Walker LESS THAN 23.5 POINTS – Boston’s point guard is averaging 20.6 points per game on the road and the Raptors are allowing the eighth-fewest points per game (106.1). Even with a lot of injuries, the Raptors can challenge Walker with their defense and put some limits on his scoring potential.
Joel Embiid LESS THAN 23.5 POINTS – A bit spotlight matchup against the Bucks should bring out the best in Embiid but between Giannis and Brook Lopez, it’s not easy for bigs to get buckets against Milwaukee. Embiid is averaging 22.4 points per game at home and has scored 24 or more points four times in 10 games this month.
RAPID FIRE
LeBron James -1.5 assists vs. Kyle Lowry – LeBron is leading the league, averaging 10.6 assists per game, and has 10.7 per game at home this season. Lowry as 7.9 assists per game at home and, with the Raptors decimated by injuries, they need Lowry to score more in order to stay competitive.
Nikola Jokic +3.5 fantasy points vs. Joel Embiid – A standard home game for Jokic is 18 points, 11 rebounds and 7-8 assists. He fills the box score and, if Embiid has trouble scoring against Milwaukee (as I’ve suggested) then Jokic’s ability to stuff the stat sheet will make him a lively underdog.
Russell Westbrook +4.5 fantasy points vs. Anthony Davis – On his home floor this season, the Lakers big man hasp put up 28.6 points and 9.3 rebounds per game to go with 3.3 assists per game. Westbrook on the road this season has averaged 23.9 points per game along with 6.9 rebounds and 6.9 assists per game on the road. Westbrook has been productive lately, enough that he’s a lively underdog in this matchup.
