James Harden Favored to Score the Most Points on Christmas Day

• James Harden is favored to lead all NBA players in scoring on Christmas Day
• The Beard is averaging 31.6 points per game and is tops in the league in scoring for the second straight year
• Harden has scored 32 points or more in each of his last four games

Sportsbooks are expecting big things from James Harden on Christmas Day.

The online sportsbooks have given The Beard the shortest odds to lead all players in scoring on December 25th. Harden is followed closely on sportsbooks’ odds sheet by Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo and Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, all of whom have identical +500 odds.

Who Will Score the Most Points on Christmas Day?

Seeing Harden’s name at the top of the list is hardly surprising in light of his latest scoring spree. the 2018 MVP is averaging 41.0 points over his last four games and is shooting 52.8% from the floor and 40.5% from beyond the arc during that span.

James Harden is averaging 41.0 points per game over his last four games.

Harden was especially unstoppable on December 13th against the Lakers as he went off for 50 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in just 35 minutes. It was the fourth 50-point triple-double of his career, making him the NBA’s all-time leader in that category.

Harden will have a chance to improve his league-leading 31.6 point-per-game scoring average on Christmas Day when the Rockets host the Thunder.  The six-time All-Star is averaging  26.5 points per game against his former team over the course of his career, and should see plenty of open looks due to the absence of defensive stopper Andre Roberson, who is still recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon.

It’s worth noting that the Thunder rank 15th in opponent free-throw attempts, which has become an increasingly big part of Harden’s game. The 2018 scoring champ has averaged over 10 free throw attempts in each of the last five seasons and is averaging an insane 14.3 freebies over his last four games. Harden’s ability to get to the line is unparalleled, and it gives him a chance to drop a cool 30 – or 40 – points even when his shot isn’t falling.

Should You Bank on the Beard?

Harden is primed for another big day on the 25th, but if you’re looking for slightly better value we recommend Kevin Durant at +700. The nine-time All-Star ranks third among all active players in points on Christmas Day, behind only LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. He hasn’t been quite as hot as Harden lately (and frankly, who has?), but he’s a close second in the league in scoring at 28.8 points per game and has dropped 30 points or more in three of his last four games.

Durant also has the benefit of facing the reeling Lakers, who have lost two straight and have given up 117 points per game over their last four outings. The four-time scoring champion has yet to face Los Angeles this season, but is averaging 28.1 points per game against the Lakers over the course of his career.

Kevin Durant ties Larry Bird in all-time PTS! #ThisIsWhyWePlay

?: @NBATV pic.twitter.com/B0yuq3qQBt

— NBA (@NBA) December 18, 2018

Durant has saved some of his biggest performances for teams led by LeBron, and there’s every reason to believe he’ll make another big statement on Christmas Day. Treat yourself to an early gift and put some money down on KD today.