LeBron James PRA (-105) vs. Jalen Hurts Rushing Yards (-125)
| Matchup | Chiefs vs. Eagles |
| Time | Sunday, 6:30 p.m. ET |
| Best Book | DraftKings |
Cross-sport specials are one of the most rewarding ways to combine knowledge from different sports in finding an edge to beat market inefficiencies. This bet is a crossover between NBA and NFL and can be found in the "Cross Sports" tab if you hover down in the menu.
We start with LeBron James, who has shown no signs of slowing down in his illustrious career averaging 45.7 points + rebounds + assists in 44 games this season. During this span, his co-star Anthony Davis missed 19 games, causing James' usage to increase to win games. In games where both played, James saw a noticeable dip from 50.1 to 42.3 points + rebounds + assists.
Being the newly crowned NBA scoring leader, we should not see games where James demands the ball to break a record. Above all, after a successful trade deadline where the Lakers added talent to balance their roster, James could take another step back to make sure D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, and Jarred Vanderbilt are involved in the system.
Meanwhile, Jalen Hurts the Philadelphia Eagles' dual-threat quarterback averages 50.7 rushing yards per game, five points higher than James' points + rebounds + assists average.
The Alabama product suffered a shoulder injury in Week 15, but since then, was involved in two playoff blowouts victories where he did not need to run. Despite that, the quarterback had 11 carries against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC title game, showing he can still be mobile with a shoulder injury.
In the six games decided by 0-7 points, Hurts averages 56.2 rushing yards. Since Week 14, the Chiefs' defense ranks sixth in quarterback Pressure Rate (39%), and all-pro defensive tackle Chris Jones could create opportunities for Hurts to use his legs to scramble. The Chiefs allow the third-most rushing yards (26.32) and eighth-most yards per carry (4.95) against opposing quarterbacks.
Their respective outlooks contrast one another. James will return to a new-look Lakers squad in a role that should not require him to carry a heavier load than before. Hurts should now see real competition after being in consecutive games where it was over after halftime.
Sportsbooks have Hurts' rushing yards line hovering around 49.5, and LeBron's points + rebounds + assists line should open at around 40.5 to 43.5. LeBron would need a 30-point triple-double to match Jalen Hurt's rushing upside, and I don't see that happening.
An edge presents itself with the sportsbook offering this line before LeBron's motivation to break the scoring title achievement and before the trade that brought more talent to the Lakers. With that in mind, take the Hurts side and ride with confidence. I would play this up to -130.
Pick: Hurts Rushing Yards (-125)
