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With five games on Monday's slate, only three are currently viewable on MonkeyKnifeFight.com. Come by here and check tomorrow for updates on the other two, but Pistons-Hawks, Jazz-Thunder, and Rockets-Nuggets are all ready to go. Both the Brooklyn-Memphis and Portland-Los Angeles games will be updated tomorrow morning before game time.
With the Hawks upgrading and adding key pieces to their offense, the Pistons have gone in the opposite direction. They lack key components in both the frontcourt and backcourt, so look for Detroit to be a weak spot for the early season.
While the Jazz are still working at their normal pace, the Thunder have drastically changed the dynamic of their team, focusing on youth and speed with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander controlling the tempo.
Between the Nuggets and Rockets, the narrative remains around the Rockets incredible roster make-up and incredible isn't meant as a compliment.
Here are some props to consider for December 28th NBA action on Monkey Knife Fight.
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DETROIT-ATLANTA
MORE OR LESS
Trae Young MORE THAN 30.5 POINTS
Trae Young repeated a 36-point outing with a 37-point performance three days later. Unless the Pistons trade for Avery Bradley or a literal ball and chain, Young is good for 30 against Delon Wright and Derrick Rose.
Jerami Grant LESS THAN 16.5 POINTS
It's tough to risk it on someone who seems to thrive on not being a scorer, but his minutes and usage across two games just don't indicate any type of safety. His game-log is inconsistent and the only reason he is scoring is because no one else can. That just doesn't seem promising despite 16 points seeming more than reachable.
UTAH-OKLAHOMA CITY
MORE OR LESS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander MORE THAN 24.5 POINTS
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only surpassed 24 points once playing against the Jazz last season, but that was also with Chris Paul and Steven Adams as security blankets. I don't expect much help this game, allowing him to cruise closer to 30 in a loss.
Donovan Mitchell MORE THAN 24.5 POINTS
Donovon Mitchell has notoriously crushed the Thunder almost single-handedly on more than one occasion. Without Chris Paul and the Jazz might win by so much Mitchell might flop, but I am not betting on early NBA-season consistency.
HOUSTON-DENVER
MORE OR LESS
James Harden MORE THAN 34.5 POINTS
The Nuggets might have Will Barton back, but more Rockets being out is a bigger deal than better Nuggets returning. Harden is either hitting 50 points or taking 50 shots.
Jamal Murray MORE THAN 21.5 POINTS
The Rockets defense is basically hoping opposing teams miss shots. While Jamal Murray is going to miss some shots, he scored over 20 last game and that wasn't particularly a great game for him.
PORTLAND-LOS ANGELES
MORE OR LESS
Damian Lillard MORE THAN 28.5 POINTS
Damian Lillard hasn't scored below 29 points against the Lakers in over a year and that isn't about to change now that he is playing against a softer defense.
Anthony Davis MORE THAN 23.5 POINTS
There is indication of a right calf injury that could always jeopardize production, but naturally Anthony Davis scores on the Trail Blazers with ease. Jusuf Nurkic has found a way to become a pest on both sides of the ball, but it's not enough to keep him beneath a 23-point threshold, especially if Davis is seeing a full workload like he's supposed to.
