Keep Betting James Harden UNDERS Based on This Key Trend
By Peter Dewey
![Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden. Philadelphia 76ers guard James Harden.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3136,h_1764,x_0,y_45/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/426/01g2a9t4t4hn7k5brdvr.jpg)
The Philadelphia 76ers are in trouble in the Eastern Conference semifinals, and the play of guard James Harden is a big reason why.
Harden scored just four points in the second half of the team's Game 2 loss to the Miami Heat, and the Sixers are now down 2-0 heading back to Philly. The Sixers acquired Harden at the trade deadline to put another star alongside Joel Embiid, but with Embiid out, Harden has looked like anything of the star player that he used to be.
In fact, Harden has been way less aggressive since joining the Sixers, and even without Embiid out he still failed to take 20 shots in Game 1 or Game 2 against Miami, which has led to him hitting the under on his points prop in back-to-back games.
James Harden has played 29 games with the Sixers.
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 5, 2022
He has zero games with 20 shot attempts. pic.twitter.com/IGRiSeLEQA
WynnBET Sportsbook has put Harden's points prop at 25.5 and 23.5 points in the first two games of this series, but the former MVP has really been a non-factor in the second half of games.
Harden scored just four points on 1-of-5 shooting in the second half of Game 2, and his efficiency has taken a major hit as well.
James Harden this playoffs
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 5, 2022
First half Second half
11.6 PTS 7.1 PTS
5.0 AST 4.4 AST
42 FG% 37 FG%
37 3P% 32 3P% pic.twitter.com/BYGZOVkcI9
When targeting player props in the NBA, it is extremely important to bet on players who see a high volume of touches, especially if their prop is set as high as Harden's has been. While Harden has the ball a ton, it hasn't translated into increased shot numbers.
Not only that, but during the regular season, Harden shot his worst percentage from 3 in his career and his second worst percentage from the field.
It may be enticing to take Harden if he's at a discounted number in Game 3, but his time with the Sixers tells us that he won't take the shots necessary to truly give him a shot to reach is points prop.