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Monkey Knife Fight doesn't have all of Monday night's six games up and for good reason. The pandemic hasn't let up and this month is providing enough proof to hopefully force some people to stay at home as much as possible. With new postponements coming every day, NBA Christmas is already spoiled.
With the limited availability, some of tonight's bets are almost too obvious, specifically looking at DeMar DeRozan. The Bulls and Rockets have been depleted, but their projected starters for tonight's game are at least healthy so Lonzo Ball, Nikola Vucevic, and DeRozan all have incredible upside against Houston's impressive, yet still inexperienced rotation.
MonkeyKnifeFight.com is always ahead of the curve with their canceling of contests amid postponements, so don't worry about wasting money on a player or game that might not play. As always, you can find me in the NBA Chat Room or @HalfCourtJester on Twitter with any questions, especially since lines and players are subject to change throughout the day.
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OKC @ MEM
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (OKC) MORE 22.5 Points - Dillon Brooks (MEM) MORE 21.5 Points
The Thunder are 1-3 over their last four contests and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is averaging just over 25 across those games. That average is anchored by a 33-point game against the Pelicans and realistically, his consistency hasn't been great this season. The last time these two teams played, it was a historic night for the Grizzlies and the Thunder have to find a way to avoid repeating that night. They will have their starting point guard this time around, but I'm not about to Gilgeous-Alexander will create 70 points worth of offense.
For the Grizzlies, relying on Dillon Brooks has worked and Memphis has only lost two games throughout December. Other than the fact that Brooks only played 15 minutes last time Memphis faced the Thunder, everything about this game and especially his most recent game log is pointing toward Brooks covering here against this defense.
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CHA @ UTA
Donovan Mitchell (UTA) MORE 27.5 Points - LaMelo Ball (CHA) MORE 19.5 Points
The Jazz have a great balance within their team and it shows on night's where Donovan Mitchell has big games. He doesn't demand the usage because of how he plays, but the Jazz prefer to let him initiate offense and see what comes from it. Lately, his usage hasn't hit 40% like it did in early-November, but he's still taken at least 20 shots in his last two games and the Hornets backcourt defense just isn't that good. Riding the momentum of Mitchell's most recent games, 28 points doesn't seem too high even if the Jazz dominate at home.
LaMelo Ball will produce every game and on nights where his teammates are facing a tougher defense, he gets more opportunities to stretch the floor and take more shots. The last two times Ball has faced the Jazz, he's scored over 20 points and Rudy Gobert isn't enough of a paint threat to specifically cover both his matchup and a driving LaMelo Ball. If you wanted to take the over in other categories as well, go for it because Ball does not struggle, nearly as much as other Charlotte players, against Utah.
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SAC @ GSW
Stephen Curry (GSW) MORE 32.5 Points - Buddy Hield (SAC) LESS 20.5 Points
Without Jordan Poole, not only is Stephen Curry the only source of offense in the backcourt, but he's literally the only player able to create space in Golden State's starting lineup. Curry has only scored over 30 points once out of his last five games, but the Warriors also had options on those nights. The amount of attention Curry is going to get tonight will be unreal, but he's also missed the last game. Barring any setbacks, Curry has the chance to have a career night against this defense.
Buddy Hield is only seeing a ton of minutes when he plays and this is one of those games where he seems like would play even if he's missing. There is no guarantee for him to score and setting a bar for him to hit is just setting him up for failure. He scored 29 points last game against the Spurs, but that was just the second time he's scored over 20-points all month and he's still scored in single digits more times in December than he's hit 20 points. Even against the Warriors, when Hield is playing bad, he might not get the minutes.
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SAS @ LAC
Paul George (LAC) LESS 26.5 Points - Dejounte Murray (SAS) MORE 17.5 Points
Paul George has missed the Clippers last five games with an elbow injury and coming back to score 27 seems unlikely, even against San Antonio. There's no reason to doubt his ability, but in his first game back and potentially still dealing with an arm injury, George is more likely to try and play point guard tonight and feed Reggie Jackson, who has been carrying this offense in George's absence.
Dejounte Murray has been the best player on the Spurs all season and there isn't really a scheme or gameplan that keeps Murray from playing his game. Adding in his ability to naturally be triple-double threat every night against every team gives him high-end upside, and since the Clippers have already surrendered a huge game to Murray once this season, a backcourt starting Jackson and Luke Kennard doesn't mean quality defense.
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