NBA Picks for MLK Day: 76ers Handle Harden; Warriors Pound LeBron-Less Lakers

• James Harden takes his scoring show into Philadelphia
• Celtics hope to avenge Heat drubbing with rematch in Boston
• Finding the best bets during NBA’s MLK slate

So, it’s likely we don’t have ‘Bron. But we sure do have a Beard, and James Harden is currently on fire.

We also have revenge on the mind of the Celtics and the Warriors, while the Jazz are in their usual ascent up the West leaderboard after a sluggish start.

Damian Lillard is already to splash, and it’s another stop on the ‘One Last Dance’ tour.

Happy Martin Luther King Day!

Enjoy the hoops, and let us add just another element to your viewing pleasure with some can’t-miss picks.

Miami Heat vs Boston Celtics

*All odds taken 01/21

Tip-off: 6pm EST

These two teams tangled on January 10, and it was probably the Heat’s most impressive win on the year, crushing the Celtics 115-99.

That was the first of three straight L’s for Boston, but they’ve since righted the ship, winning three in a row.

Kyrie Irving has been the catalyst on the court, averaging better than 30 points a game in his last four contests, including a scintillating 27-point, 18-assist wrecking ball performance against the Raptors. 

Kyrie Irving put the #Raptors in a God damn COFFIN last night and I’m still ready to run through a wall. #Celtics pic.twitter.com/NpaOFK7NHG

— The Rafters Podcast (@TheRaftersPod) January 17, 2019

If only he wasn’t that passive aggressive off the court. His season-long snipes about his younger teammates to the media have overshadowed his play in Beantown.

The latest? An interview where he mentioned without prompt that he called LeBron James to apologize for his shortcomings as a young player. I can’t even make this up. 

Kyrie Irving says he called LeBron James after the Celtics’ loss to the Magic to apologize for “being that young player that wanted everything at his fingertips.” Naturally, there were a lot of follow-up q’s and he told us all to relax. pic.twitter.com/d4zeRKUbA5

— Nicole Yang (@nicolecyang) January 17, 2019

Miami is in playoff position in the East, but nowhere near a lock yet. At 22-22, Erik Spoelstra’s crew is getting it done the usual way: grit.

Josh Richardson (17.9 PPG) leads a committee of mostly role players punching above their average in scoring, while they hope that Justice Winslow blossoms into that star as a point guard in a power forward’s body.

https://twitter.com/VadimKimNBA/status/1084501267110453248

This should be a slug fest. Both teams rank in the top five in opposition scoring, which will likely lend itself to a close finish. Perhaps Dwyane Wade provides heroics?

Pick: Under 213 points (-115)

Houston Rockets vs Philadelphia 76ers

Tip-off: 8pm EST

At this point, James Harden is appointment viewing, in the absurdity of his scoring binge, but in the absurdity in the way he is doing it.

In his blistering back-to-back-back games against the Grizzlies, Nets, and Lakers, Harden was literally a one-man band. This tweet says it all.  

James Harden has scored 163 points in his last three games … ALL have been unassisted 💰 pic.twitter.com/WRmgzY4Jb5

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 20, 2019

This is Teen Wolf-level ridiculousness. Harden is the system – especially as the Rockets await the return of both Chris Paul and Clint Capela. It’s the ball in his hands, and he goes to work. That’s it.

🚀 @JHarden13 puts up 48 PTS, 8 3PM to lead the @HoustonRockets 21-point comeback OT win! #Rockets

The Beard has scored 30+ points in 19 consecutive games. Only Wilt Chamberlain has had a longer streak of such games. (4 times) pic.twitter.com/bsNhekb56v

— NBA (@NBA) January 20, 2019

It’s the world Jimmy Butler wishes he resided in. Unfortunately, he’s in a realm with two other mega-talents and forced to try and work together to succeed.

While it’s been rough around the edges, they’re doing work in the East, just 4.5 games back of the top-seeded Bucks. They’re hoping to bounce back after a heart-breaker to the Thunder.

20 seconds of absolute dominance from Joel Embiid. pic.twitter.com/i2LaWpa5ab

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 13, 2019

Center Joel Embiid is the the 76ers’ driving force, dropping 30 or more points in 20 games already this season. No player has had that type of scoring binge in Philly over the team’s first 45 games since Allen Iverson was doing it in the early aughts.

Harden gets his, but three stars should trump one.

Pick: 76ers (-4.0)

Portland Trail Blazers vs Utah Jazz

Tip-off: 9pm EST 

Utah is one of the hottest teams in the NBA since the turn of the calendar. After a loss to Toronto on January 1, the Jazz have won six in a row and are 8-1 in their last nine games, vaulting into the playoff picture with a record of 26-21 and just two games out of the third seed in the West.

Oh my, Donovan Mitchell…

(via @utahjazz)pic.twitter.com/prG7fK5pnO

— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) January 19, 2019

That’s the space the Trail Blazers occupy (tied with the Thunder).

Since taking the second of two Jazz beatings in December – a 117-96 throttling on Christmas Day – Portland has been hot as well, reeling off a 9-4 record in their last 13 games. That includes a recent two-game tear where they’ve averaged close to 129 points a game in wins over the Cavaliers and the Pelicans.

6 guys in double figures. Last night was a memorable one!

Take a look at the highlights 🎥 pic.twitter.com/YrEBmTqaFu

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 19, 2019

This will be a nice litmus test, again. Utah is third in opposition scoring, and they are flexing on the defensive end this month,  averaging 39.6 defensive rebounds, 7.0 steals, and 6.3 blocks per game, while holding teams to under 10 second-chance points per game.

Pick: Utah (-210)

Golden State Warriors vs Los Angeles Lakers

Tip-off: 10:30pm EST

The Warriors are surging, reeling off seven straight wins and apparently back to their usual dominant selves, topping the West and leading the league in scoring and assists.

Unbelievable performance by @StephenCurry30 💦

7 threes in 3rd quarter
41 PTS (9/17 from 3) pic.twitter.com/HXkW2dP5MY

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 17, 2019

Steph Curry has a permanent flame logo beside his name, as his shooting somehow is being overshadowed by Harden.

Steph Curry is the first player in NBA history to make 8 threes in 3 straight games. pic.twitter.com/tzLLYkXIQ6

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 17, 2019

They’re also fully healthy, as DeMarcus Cousins debuted against the Clippers on Friday night. This lineup is scary now. Imagine when they actually have some games under their belt.

DeMarcus Cousins was looking good dropping 14 points in 15 mins in his Warriors debut. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/rB0Qdw1WgH

— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) January 19, 2019

The Lakers are coming off an agonizing OT loss to the Rockets, unable to close out a three-point lead in the dying seconds.

https://twitter.com/TheSportsNotes/status/1086836618567139328

LA is just 5-8 since that Christmas Day W against the Warriors – it’s the game that LeBron James injured his groin, and will likely keep him out of his 14th straight game Monday, easily the longest time he’s missed in his career.

He’s not the only casualty: Rajon Rondo is close to being back after a hand injury, but Lonzo Ball is now out around a month with an ugly ankle sprain.

There are few regular season games the Warriors get up for – this will be one, and they will be ruthless.

Pick: Warriors (-12)