Target 2 Clippers stars trending in opposite directions on Tuesday
After a full Monday of hoops, Tuesday night has only three games. Two feature contenders in each conference and are nationally televised on TNT. We have three player props to target for Tuesday's card.
Jusuf Nurkic: Under 12.5 points
Nurkic's primary responsibilities for the Suns include being a defensive anchor and rim-protector. Phoenix doesn't need him to be a consistent scorer. He attempts 9.6 shots per game, but many of those looks come by rim-running or rolling after setting a screen.
He's averaging 11.7 points per game in January and has scored under 12 points in four of his last six games. He also has a difficult matchup against the Kings, who make it challenging for centers to score. They allow the fewest points per game to centers in the NBA.
Odds: -125 (playable to -135)
James Harden: Over 8.5 assists
This is a bizarrely low assist total for Harden, who's averaging 10.1 assists per game this month. His willingness to create for his Clippers teammates and feed big men in the pick-and-roll has unlocked a new level of the Clippers' offense, allowing him to flourish as a scorer and passer.
Harden's recorded at least nine assists in nine of the last 11 games. In the two games he didn't, he still dished out eight dimes. Sure, the Thunder have an elite defense, but Harden will have plenty of opportunities to make plays in a contest where the Clippers are 6.5-point favorites.
Odds: -135
Russell Westbrook: Under 18.5 PRA
Harden's Clippers teammate Westbrook doesn't get the same scoring or playmaking opportunities. Westbrook comes off the bench and plays sporadically with the starters. He's averaging less than 20 minutes per game over the last 20 games.
Westbrook played an unusual 29 minutes last game against the Timberwolves, so he filled the stat sheet and soared past 19 combined points, rebounds, and assists.
However, in his seven games before that, Westbrook failed to reach 19 points, rebounds, and assists.
The Thunder allow the NBA's second-fewest transition points, Westbrook's most used play type. Assuming he returns to his normal share of minutes, he should have a pedestrian outing.
Odds: -105 (playable to -120)
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.