For most NBA fans, a handful of dates stand out during the regular season, with opening night and the NBA trade deadline probably atop almost everyone’s list. But if you ask me, there’s no better day of the regular season than Christmas Day.
Nostalgia being the reason, probably, as I reminisce about my childhood when I opened up gifts in the morning and then camped out in front of the television for the day’s NBA slate. And while the gift-opening part isn’t very significant anymore as an adult, you better believe I’ll find time to wager on and watch some of this year’s Christmas games.
The stars are out, per usual, which means plenty of entertainment and plenty of props to go around. Let me walk you through one player prop to consider for each game.
All odds via BetMGM.
Isaiah Hartenstein - Over 9.5 Rebounds (-120)
Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
You probably didn’t think you’d be betting on Isaiah Hartenstein this Christmas, did you? Well, you may not be, but I think you should. Here’s why: He’s taken over the starting center position for the New York Knicks following Mitchell Robinson’s recent season-ending injury and is also the only 7-footer currently in the rotation for the Knicks. New York will need all the bodies possible to deal with Giannis Antetokounmpo and the size of the Milwaukee Bucks, so barring foul trouble or injury, over 9.5 rebounds feels like a safe gamble.
Nikola Jokic - Over 12.5 rebounds (-110)
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Speaking of boards, how about we talk about the league’s leader in total rebounds? You know the name (Nikola Jokic) and the game, so don’t overthink this one. Twelve-and-a-half rebounds isn’t much for someone who has already cracked 20 boards in a game this season. And he’s facing a relatively small Golden State Warriors team? Yeah, sign me up for this one. I’m taking the over.
Jayson Tatum - Over 3.5 Threes (+110)
David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Boston Celtics take (43.3) and make (16.4) more three-pointers on average than any other team in the NBA. Their Christmas Day opponent, the Los Angeles Lakers, allows the sixth-most threes (37.5) per game. So statistically, it feels very plausible that the Celtics take drain a bunch of threes this Christmas Day, and more specifically, it seems like Jayson Tatum should do some damage from behind the arc. He made five of the Celtics’ 25 triples in their last game against the Clippers in the same building that he’ll face the Lakers in on Monday.
Over 3.5 make shouldn’t be an issue. Hammer it.
Tyler Herro - Over 22.5 Points (-110)
(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)
Tyler Herro’s last three games since returning from injury:
- 12/22 vs. ATL — 30 points, 11-21 FG, 7-13 3PT
- 12/20 @ ORL — 28 points, 10-17 FG, 4-5 3PT
- 12/18 vs. MIN — 25 points, 10-18 FG, 1-6 3PT
Basically, what I’m saying is this: RIDE THE WAVE. Herro is cooking, and especially if Jimmy Butler isn’t playing, over 22.5 points should be easy work.
Kevin Durant - Over 31.5 Points (-105)
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LeBron James (460), Kobe Bryant (395), Oscar Robertson (377) and Dwyane Wade (314) — the shortlist of players who’ve tallied more points on Christmas Day than Kevin Durant (299). Durant will more than likely move up the list by the end of the day, but the question is if he’ll clear Wade comfortably. For my money, the answer is a resounding YES.
KD is averaging just a tick under 31 points per game this season, and based on the state of the Phoenix Suns these days, you better believe they’re going to count even more on their superstar forward to dig them out of this hole. He’ll do the digging the best way he knows how, which is by scoring. I’ll take it a step further — KD’s going for 40.
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