Germantas Kneita
The NBA Playoffs finally arrive in full force on Saturday with 4 games all one after another. We have some incredible matchups in the first round that will be on display on opening day. Last years Western Conference finalists the Minnesota Timberwolves will find themselves up against Luka Doncic, the star who had knocked them out, although he will be in a different uniform this time around. There are reasons to be excited about the rest of the series too, but considering I have picked out my favorite player prop for each game, let’s not delve into that topic further and turn the attention to the picks below. And as always, you can find our NBA previews here.
Kawhi Leonard (LAC) over 5.5 rebounds (-150)
With Nikola Jokic being a threat from pretty anywhere inside the halfcourt, Ivica Zubac will be pulled out all over the floor to contest him. With the teams leading rebounder out of position, the Los Angeles Clippers will need their wings to help out. In steps Kawhi Leonard. He has been on a spectacular rebounding streak already, managing 6 or more rebounds in 14 of his last 15 games. With his team needing him to step up here, expect that streak to continue.
While he has been someone that has been injury managed in the past, he did play for 47 minutes in his last outing of the regular season. It this game stays close, we should see him pushing closer to the 40-minute mark again, more than enough time to grab 6 rebounds. Rebounding becomes a focus for Leonard in the postseason too. The only season where he averaged fewer than 6 rebounds per game in the playoffs was 2011-2012. He still averaged 5.9 per game. Expect him to get off to a strong start here.
Kevin Porter Jr. (MIL) over 9.5 points (-115)
During the last few games of the regular season Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. proved more than capable of stepping in the role normally occupied by Damian Lillard. He was able to score at least 16 points in each of his last 5 games and contributed across the board in other categories. It is the type of play that should ensure he carves out a large role in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers.
Against the Pacers this season he already averages 12.5 points per game in just 18 minutes of action. If that gets pushed to closer to 30, the chances will be there for him to contribute scoring wise. Over the last 10 games of the regular season, he was 3rd on the team in fast break points per game. Considering the Pacers were 6th in pace during that stretch, the tempo should play to the guards strengths here.
Malik Beasley (DET) over 3.5 made threes (+115)
Malik Beasley simply loves the bright lights of Maddison Square Garden this season. In his 2 visits to take on the New York Knicks there this season, he knocked down a combined 13 3-pointers. The fact that he has attempted at least 10 shots from beyond the arc in 7 of his last 8 games shows that his aggressiveness looking for his shots from out there has not dropped off. On the season he has knocked down 41.6% of his attempts from deep and that level of efficiency should set him up perfectly to knock down at least 4 attempts in Game 1. The Knicks finished the regular season just 26th in opponent 3-point percentage and hardly seem to be the team that will be able to keep Beasley quite.
Rudy Gobert (MIN) over 23.5 points & rebounds (-115)
Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert had a very strong end to his regular season, averaging 19.4 points and 13.6 rebounds per game in April. One thing that helped him get there is the fact that he averaged double-digit field goal attempts in the month. His highest average for any month this season. With the way the Lakers roster is constructed, their center position remains their weakness, something the visitors will be looking to exploit with Gobert.
The Frenchman already averages a 14-point and 13-rebound double-double in games against the Lakers this season and should be able to build on this. The hosts ranked 22nd over the last 10 regular season games in opponent second chance points per game. With Gobert being a 5th this season in total offensive rebounds, it’s a avenue he should be able to exploit to help put together a strong line.
