The NBA matchup on Monday night will see the Los Angeles Clippers face off against the Charlotte Hornets. As the teams prepare for this exciting game, various player props on Underdog Fantasy have drawn attention, particularly for the performance expectations of key players.
One player to keep an eye on is Charlotte’s rookie guard, Kon Knueppel, who is projected to go under 18.5 points. Knueppel has struggled to meet this benchmark in his last three games, and the Clippers are known for their defensive prowess, allowing only 113.6 points per game this season. In their previous matchup on November 22, Knueppel scored an impressive 26 points, but recent trends suggest a different outcome may be in store this time around, especially given that he has made three or fewer three-pointers in five of his last six games.
On the rebounding front, Hornets’ forward Moussa Diabate is anticipated to exceed 8.5 rebounds. Diabate has been a solid contributor in the paint, consistently grabbing nine or more rebounds in seven of his last ten games. Although the return of rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner from a knee injury may affect Diabate’s minutes, he is still likely to make a significant impact on the glass, especially against a Clippers team that has allowed the 11th most rebounds per game recently.
The game will also feature Kawhi Leonard, who is projected to go under 3.5 assists. Recently, Leonard has rediscovered his scoring touch, achieving over 3.5 assists in three out of his last four games. Given the Hornets’ defensive struggles, permitting the fourth-most assists per game, he could be poised for a similar performance.
Clippers’ center Ivica Zubac is set to surpass a combined total of 25.5 points and rebounds. In their last encounter, Zubac excelled with 18 points and nine rebounds. Despite only hitting this benchmark once in the past five games, he is expected to bounce back against a Charlotte team that is allowing the seventh-most paint points in the league.
Finally, Hornets’ star LaMelo Ball is projected to fall under 3.5 made three-pointers. Despite a recent surge, where he made a total of 12 threes in his last two games, his shot history against the Clippers—where he made only 1 of 7 from deep in their earlier clash—suggests that he may struggle to meet this expectation.
With both teams looking to secure a crucial win, the individual performances of these players could play a significant role in determining the outcome of this contest. Fans will be watching closely as these exciting matchups unfold, hoping for standout performances that will enhance the competitive spirit of the game.