The final matchup across the 11-game NBA slate will be between the Los Angeles Clippers and Brooklyn Nets. This will mark the fourth game that Kawhi Leonard is expected to join James Harden on the floor. For the Clippers, it’s a great chance to add another victory to the win column.
Los Angeles has done a nice job surviving the injuries to start this season and is holding a 21-17 record, which puts them at fifth place in the Western Conference. James Harden deserves a great deal of credit for this and is averaging 21.5 points, 7.9 assists and 5.9 rebounds per game on the season. They will now face off against a 14-26 Brooklyn Nets team that’s actively trading away veteran pieces to bottom out on the season and increase their draft lottery odds.
The Clippers enter this game as 14-point favorites and -950 on the Moneyline. The Nets hold +625 odds on the Moneyline on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 213.5.
Best James Harden Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Harden’s props are listed at over/under 21.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.5 made three-pointers and 34.5 combined points, rebounds and assists.
James Harden Over 8.5 Assists (+110)
As he progressed into the twilight years of his career, James Harden adjusted to more of a playmaking-oriented style of play and did so at an incredibly high level. The two-time assist champion has been forced back into attack mode this year due to the injuries to Kawhi Leonard and the loss of Paul George in the offseason. The 21.5 points per game he is averaging is more than he produced during his time in Philadelphia even while shooting a career-worst 39.3% from the floor. In addition, the 7.9 assists he is currently averaging is his fewest since the 2019-20 season when he was still with the Houston Rockets.
While Kawhi Leonard continues to be on a minutes limit, the organization will be focused on catching him up to the flow of the team. This will especially be the case in a matchup like tonight where the Clippers can play through their mistakes a bit more. Expect to see Harden’s playmaking numbers grow in the coming weeks and for tonight to be a huge start.
Even while playing with a more attack-minded approach, Harden has recorded over 8.5 assists in 14 games this season. This includes two of the three games he has played with Leonard on the floor with Harden averaging 11.3 assists in these matchups. Expect Harden to make a conscious effort to create looks for Leonard when they are sharing the floor. The former MVP will not be asked to pull as much of the scoring weight and should have no problem recording over 8.5 assists against an inferior opponent.
James Harden to Record a Double-Double (+145)
So far this season James Harden has notched 14 double-doubles and one triple-double. 10 of these double-doubles have been when tallying 10+ assists while four have been via the rebounding department.
While I first eyed the +180 odds for Harden to record 10+ assists, having the security of it still hitting with 10+ rebounds makes me prefer the double-double odds at +145. Harden has averaged a double-double in three of the past five seasons and has logged 365 double-doubles in his career.
Los Angeles should not have much trouble handling this Nets team, but the Clippers also must capitalize on the opportunity to build chemistry between Harden and Leonard as he catches up to speed. Look for Harden to play more of a traditional point guard role tonight and have a pathway to reach 10 assists. He finished with 26 points and 11 assists on Monday against the Heat and should be in line for a similar level of production tonight. While my belief is surely shaded toward him recording 10+ assists jump on the +145 odds for a double-double in case rebounding comes into play against a Nets team that ranks 29th in total rebounds per game.
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