NBA Predictions: Kevin Durant Favored to Score the Most Points on Christmas Day
The 2011-12 NBA regular season tips off in two days and Las Vegas bookmakers couldn't be happier due to the football season winding down.
Sports bettors will find plenty of action on the odds board with five games scheduled on Sunday, but proposition wagers are becoming the talk of the town due to fantasy basketball followers.
Let's take a closer look at which NBA player will likely finish as the high scorer on Christmas Day.
Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
1 of 11Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce has averaged 22.8 points per game against the New York Knicks in his career.
It's hard to imagine that this veteran finishes atop this category, as he scored 19 points versus the Miami Heat to open last year's campaign.
Betting Odds: +1250
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
2 of 11Chicago Bulls point guard Derrick Rose just inked a five-year contract extension worth more than $94 million, which is definitely something to keep in mind on Christmas Day.
The former Memphis Tigers star will be playing in front of the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, taking on the Los Angeles Lakers on opening day.
He's averaged 25.0 points in six career games versus the Lakers.
Betting Odds: +750
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
3 of 11Everyone is questioning whether Dwight Howard wants to be in Orlando, but it looks like he'll start the season with the franchise that drafted him.
The former No. 1 pick has averaged 21.6 points in 14 career games versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He scored 23 points in a 111-83 season-opening blowout at year ago against the Washington Wizards.
Betting Odds: +750
Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
4 of 11Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin will get plenty of opportunities to score in transition now that point guard Chris Paul is on the roster.
The No. 1 pick in the 2009 draft has averaged 23.8 points in four career games versus the Golden State Warriors.
A definite contender due to the up-and-down game that should be expected in Northern California.
Betting Odds: +750
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
5 of 11Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant is aiming to play against the Chicago Bulls to open the season, but I wouldn't be too enthused about his chances of finishing atop this category when all is said and done on Christmas Day.
A divorce and torn ligament in his right wrist will have his mind elsewhere.
Betting Odds: +750
Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
6 of 11Forward Carmelo Anthony will begin his first full-year in a New York Knicks jersey, averaging 26.3 points in 27 games with the franchise after being traded by the Denver Nuggets.
In 14 career games versus the Boston Celtics, Anthony has ended up scoring 23.9 points a game.
Don't be surprised if he goes for 30-plus against an aging defense on Sunday.
Betting Odds: +750
Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors
7 of 11Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis is the sleeper in this category, averaging 25.5 and 24.1 points per game the past two seasons.
In 16 career games versus the Los Angeles Clippers, the former second-round selection has managed to score 17.6 points per game.
He scored 30 points in his last home contest against them on Jan. 14, playing just over 30 minutes of a 122-112 victory.
Betting Odds: +550
Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
8 of 11Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade managed to score 29 or more points three times during the 2011 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks, which makes him a major player.
He usually doesn't get things going offensively until December, averaging just 21.5 and 21.6 points per game in October and November respectively during his career.
Betting Odds: +450
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
9 of 11Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki is now an NBA champion and will be facing a revenge-minded Miami Heat squad on Christmas Day.
The German star has averaged 23.9 points in 25 career games versus the Heat, while scoring at least 21 points in all six NBA Finals contests against them.
Betting Odds: +450
LeBron James, Miami Heat
10 of 11Miami Heat forward LeBron James took a lot of criticism for not being aggressive offensively during the 2011 NBA Finals, which could play a major role in how he performs on Christmas Day.
In 16 career games versus the Dallas Mavericks, James has averaged 26.9 points per game.
Not out of the question, especially with Wade being a slow starter.
Betting Odds: +350
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
11 of 11Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant is the best scorer in the NBA and has averaged at least 20.3 points in his first four years in the league.
He offers little value in this proposition offering, considering he's averaged just 21.0 points in seven career games against the Orlando Magic.
I'd look elsewhere for a major score.
Betting Odds: +200
