76ers vs. Wizards NBA Player Prop & Pick: Back James Harden Against Washington (December 27)

NBA Player Prop & Pick

76ers vs.

Wizards

James Harden, 30.5 PTS + AST

James Harden is yet again making waves for his potential preferences with his impending free agency. While this seems like an annual occurrence, I’m focused on the here and now, and tonight, I’m loving Harden to exceed his points and assists line.

The Beard is averaging 32.9 points and assists this season, and that number actually bumps up to 33.5 PA in the 15 games he’s played with Joel Embiid. He’s cleared this line in 60% of those games (nine of 15).

Without Tyrese Maxey available, Harden fully runs the offense. He enjoys a 2% usage bump when Maxey is off the court and has eclipsed this line in six of nine full games without his backcourt counterpart.

Plus, Doc Rivers even mentioned he’s not concerned with Harden’s workload, which is evident in the 43 and 41 minutes he’s played the last two games.

The Wizards have been floundering defensively, ranking 27th over the last 15 games. Their defensive focus will be on stopping Joel Embiid, which should leave Harden free to run his isolation sets on the outside.

Overall, this line is a tick below Harden’s season average, but in a plus matchup, I have the 10-time All Star projected at 34 PA and would play this line up to over 31.5.

Pick: Harden Over 30.5 Points + Assists — Play to 31.5 PA