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Day 2 of the NBA playoffs tips off at 2:00 pm ET, with an Eastern Conference showdown. Following Heat-Celtics, will be the anticipated matchup between the Mavericks-Clippers.
Let’s dive into my three best NBA player prop bets, while you can also check out our NBA picks for all 4 of today’s games.
Russell Westbrook, LAC, Over 10.5 points (-102)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
FanDuel is gatekeeping Russell Westbrook props for us, so we’ll turn to DraftKings for the best price. With the news that Kawhi Leonard is unlikely to play in Game 1, so somebody on the Clippers has to step up. Terance Mann and Norman Powell are great candidates. I expect Powell to have a solid scoring game, but I’m backing Westbrook to rise to the occasion at home on Sunday.
In 11 games played without Leonard this season, Westbrook is averaging over 13 points per game on nearly 11 field-goal attempts. Naturally we’ll see this game slow down, but I expect Westbrook to see extra run today and be a menace on defense on either Kyrie Irving or Luka Doncic.
Westbrook’s playoff experience and motor will be needed in a series that many expect to be the most competitive out of the bunch.
Brook Lopez, MIL, Under 13.5 points (+105)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Former 2-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo will be sidelined for Game 1 of the series between the Bucks and Pacers. Naturally, bettors will turn to overs on the rest of the Bucks squad to make up the scoring load…but not me. I’m fading Brook Lopez on the under of 13.5 points.
From an EV perspective, we’re getting value with this at plus money. FanDuel and Caesars have this prop priced down to -111 and -115. Now without Antetokoumpo, the Pacers don’t have to worry about Myles Turner collapsing in the paint and leaving Lopez open — like he has in previous matchups this season. I expect a much higher volume from Khris Middleton, who will have an advantage on the perimeter.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, OKC, Under 1.5 made threes (-122)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
I’m shocked at the price we’re getting on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to make fewer than 2 three-pointers. FanDuel and other major books have this juiced down to -145, while DraftKings is coming in at -122. I’ll bite on the latter.
Herb Jones will be critical in this series. He will get the Gilgeous-Alexander assignment on defense and try his best to avoid him from dropping 30+ points. But Gilgeous-Alexadner can score as much as he wants, as long as it’s not from deep. That’s not his game. He is attempting fewer than 4 threes a game while shooting 35% — not nearly enough volume. Not to mention the fact that he’ll have a 6’7” lengthy defender on him along with the rest of the New Orleans Pelicans defenders’ eyes all over him.
