Christmas Day NBA Preview including fantasy sleepers and picks
For many of us the NBA season doesn’t officially get underway until Christmas Day. That’s when fantasy football dreams die and the NBA takes the center stage after all the presents have been opened. So in preparation of the unofficial opening night, here’s a preview with picks for Sunday’s hoops bonanza.
This one kicks off at noon and will feature Philly’s Joel Embiid and James Harden taking on one of the hottest teams in the league, despite the fact the Knicks have dropped their last two. Prior to losses to the Raptors and Bulls they had won eight straight games, although the talent they were facing was marginal.
The Sixers will be at nearly full strength with only Tyrese Maxey (foot) showing up on the injury report and are on a serious winning streak after taking the last seven games they’ve played. Harden has been on a tear, averaging 20.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 12.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.0 3-pointers in December. He had a monster triple-double on Friday with 20 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 21 assists against the Clippers. I like him in all prop bets Sunday and Joel Embiid is also on fire, averaging 36 points, 10 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 3-pointers this month. Other prop players to consider are Tobias Harris, De’Anthony Melton and Shake Milton.
The Knicks are led by Julius Randle, who’s averaging 25.9 points, 11.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 2.7 3-pointers in December. RJ Barrett is hot and had 44 points in his last outing, hitting 14-of-20 shots, 6-of-6 3-pointers and 10-of-13 free throws. Jalen Brunson is the third head on their three-headed monster, averaging 17.7 points, 6.3 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.8 3-pointers this month. Obi Toppin (leg) is the only meaningful injured player for the Knicks.
The Sixers are rolling and the Knicks, despite being at home, are going to have their hands full with Philly. Oddscrowd top performer Opportunista likes the Knicks getting 2.5 points, but I’m sticking with the hot Sixers and the nearly unstoppable combo of Embiid and Harden.
Fantasy Sleepers: Georges Niang & Immanuel Quickley
Pick: Sixers -2.5
The Mavericks will be looking for another heroic performance from Luka Doncic, who went off for 50 points, eight rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and six triples in his last game. Only Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans joined Luka in double figures in that game with 11 points each. The Mavs are banged up right now and will be without Dorian Finney-Smith, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber and Kemba Walker. Luka is the only player on this team you can really trust right now. The Mavs have won two straight with wins over the Timberwolves and Rockets.
The Lakers are reeling with Anthony Davis (foot) out indefinitely and LeBron James being a game-time call due to an ankle injury. It’s Christmas Day, so it would be shocking if he didn’t play. They’ve lost three straight games but LeBron had 34 points and eight assists in his last game. Thomas Bryant has become quite relevant with AD out and had eight points and 13 rebounds in his last game. He’s worth a look in DFS if you’re playing. Austin Reaves is over his ankle injury and had 20 points and three 3-pointers on Friday.
Opportunista likes the Lakers and the points but I’m a homer and Luka guy, so I’m rolling the Mavs in this one. The Lakers have a 2.7 percent Exceptional Value edge on the moneyline at +220 so I do like that play, as well.
Fantasy Sleepers: Tim Hardaway & Austin Reaves
Pick: Mavericks -8.5
The Bucks are getting 4.5 points on the road and sit just a ½ game back of the first-place Celtics in the standings. Anytime I can get 4.5 points with Giannis Antetokounmpo I’m probably taking it. The Bucks have lost two straight and are due for a win and anything can happen on Christmas Day. Giannis is averaging 31.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0,9 blocks and 0.8 3-pointers in December. Khris Middleton is a game-time call due to his bum knee and I like Jevon Carter if he’s out.
The Celtics are relatively healthy but Marcus Smart will be a game-time call due to a hip injury. The Celtics snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over the Timberwolves on Friday but aren’t exactly on fire right now. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford are all worth a look for this one and Derrick White had 18 points and a fun stat line on Friday, making him a fantasy sleeper.
Opportunista likes the Bucks getting the points and I do as well. The Oddscrowd algorithm gives the Bucks a 3.7 percent +EV on the moneyline of +137, as well.
Fantasy Sleepers: Jevon Carter & Derrick White
Pick: Bucks +4.5
The Grizzlies snapped a two-game losing streak with an easy win over the Suns on Friday after losing at Oklahoma City and Denver. They also come into this one at full strength with only Danny Green (knee surgery) showing up on the injury report. Desmond Bane is finally back from his injury and had 17 points on 4-of-13 shooting on Friday, and I expect him to play better on Christmas Day. Ja Morant has been struggling but I fully expect him to get it turned around in this one, while Jaren Jackson Jr. has been rolling. Brandon Clarke had 24 points and 10 rebounds in his last game and could be in for another fun day on Sunday.
The Warriors are heading in the wrong direction, losing five of their last six games with Stephen Curry (shoulder) out indefinitely. Jordan Poole looks like a fantastic prop play as well as a fantasy option, while Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, James Wiseman, Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Ty Jerome could all put up some fun numbers if this game ends in a blowout, which is what happened against the Nets on Friday.
Opportunista likes the Grizzlies minus the points and I don’t trust the Warriors farther than I can throw them right now.
Fantasy Sleepers: Brandon Clarke & James Wiseman
Pick: Grizzlies -5.5
The Suns have lost two straight after winning three in a row and have some injury concerns. Devin Booker will be a game-time call due to a groin injury and has missed three straight games. If he’s out, the Nuggets are probably the way to go. With Booker out, Landry Shamet has been starting and has scored in double figures in three straight games.
The Nuggets have won three straight games and six of their last seven, including three straight wins against the spread. Michael Porter Jr. is finally back and had 18 points on Friday, while Jamal Murray went off for 25 points, eight boards and 12 assists in that one. Nikola Jokic had another stellar night with 29 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists in that one. Jeff Green is out indefinitely with a broken hand, while Murray (foot) and Zeke Nnaji (finger) will be game-time calls tomorrow. Jokic is having a December to remember and is averaging 28.9 points, 12.9 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 2.0 steals and a 3-pointer this month.
Opportunista likes the Suns getting the points tomorrow but I’m rolling with the hot team and the one that has Jokic on their side.
Fantasy Sleepers: Landry Shamet & Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
Pick: Nuggets -4.5
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