Germantas Kneita
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The NBA tends to bring us great NBA action every year on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and 2025 is set to be no different. The defending champions will be in action tonight as the Boston Celtics take on the Golden State Warriors. You can find out our NBA picks for all of the day’s big games, starting with Mavericks vs Hornets at 12:00 pm ET on NBA TV right the way through to Bulls vs Clippers at 10:30 pm ET. But for now, let’s get into my best NBA player prop bets for Monday, January 20.
James Harden (LAC) to record 10+ assists (+120)
Over the last 10 games, the Chicago Bulls have been playing at a league-leading pace while also ranking just 18th in defensive rating. It’s a combination that should suit playmakers like James Harden, who should get additional opportunities to dissect a lackluster defense. The Clippers star has managed double-digit assists in 3 of his last 5 games. He also managed 15 assists against a Hawks team that is 3rd in pace during that same time.
Harden should thrive in a fast-tempo game here too. Nikola Vucevic is hardly the most mobile center on the perimeter for the Bulls. Expect the Harden and Ivica Zubac pick and roll to be very effective here as a result. Over the last 10 games, the Clippers are also in the top half of the league in true shooting percentage. His teammates look poised to convert the looks he creates. Back Harden to improve further on his current passing streak.
Don’t miss our Celtics vs Warriors Same Game Parlay picks for today’s big matchup on TNT at +500 odds
Clint Capela (ATL) over 0.5 assists (-130)
Atlanta Hawks center Clint Capela is certainly not known as a playmaker, but this line does hold great value. Through 41 games this season, he is averaging 1.2 assists per game. He managed 1 in both of his games against the Knicks this season and has recorded at least 1 in 10 of his last 12 games. In fact, he has just 6 games overall in which he failed to record an assist. It’s a type of consistency that’s hard to ignore.
Defensive rotations tend to break down after offensive rebounds and Clint Capela is one of the best at grabbing them, ranking 13th among players this season in offensive rebounds per game. He should have the opportunity to kick some of these out tonight to open teammates to covert. Capela will have a larger role here trying to contain Karl-Anthony Towns too so time on the floor should not be an issue either.
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Ausar Thompson (DET) over 1.5 steals & blocks (+120)
The Thompson twins face off tonight as Ausar and the Detroit Pistons take on Amen and the Houston Rockets. Both have been making their mark this season, but I am picking out Ausar to deliver on the defensive end tonight. The Pistons man has been phenomenal in January so far, averaging 2.3 steals per game and 0.3 blocks. He is seeing more minutes this month than in any other of the season so far. Thompson’s ability to disrupt offenses should help ensure he has a large role to play tonight too.
Ausar has managed at least 2 steals in 5 of his 8 games this month and should be more than capable of hitting the over on this line with these alone. With the Rockets 29th over the last 10 games in opponent blocks per game, with just the Memphis Grizzlies allowing more, it should act as a nice insurance for the line too. The likes of Jalen Green do their best work at the rim and Ausar will have a chance to be there to impact the play. Look for a strong defensive performance from the sophomore.
