Friday Night Hoops: Top Player Props for May 12
NBA Player Prop Bets for May 9 Friday: Betting Lines for Individual Performance
It's playoff time, and things are getting heated in both NBA conferences! The Cavaliers are struggling to keep up with the Pacers, while the Nuggets and Thunder are locked in a tight series. Here's a look at some top player prop picks for tonight's action, backed by stats, trends, and coaching strategies.
Andrew Nembhard Over 6 Assists (+110, FanDuel)
Andrew Nembhard has been a key facilitator for the Pacers, and the numbers show his potential is sky-high. Despite the assist line rising from 5.5 to 6.0 for Game 3, there's still value on the Over. Through the first two games against Cleveland, Nembhard is averaging 9.5 assists on 15.5 potential assists per game. As a decision-maker, he thrives in tight half-court possessions. With Garland, Mobley, and Hunter expected to return, we should see a more competitive game script - and that likely means more tight possessions for Nembhard to shine. Expect him to continue playing with increased trust from Coach Carlisle and making the most of his playmaking opportunities.
Donovan Mitchell Over 30 Points (-110, FanDuel)
Donovan Mitchell has taken over for the Cavaliers, and he's showing no signs of stopping. Despite this line rising to 30 points after closing at 28 points last game, it's still not high enough. Mitchell has been posting insane usage rates, averaging around 43.8% in the series. In Game 1, he scored 33 points, and followed that up with a 48-point outburst in Game 2. With his offense leading the way, Cleveland needs him to continue dominating, especially with the series on the line. Expect Mitchell to keep up his scorching hot streak and come out firing again in a potential do-or-die situation.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander 10+ 1st Quarter Points (-120, DraftKings)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been a dominant first-quarter scorer, and this prop presents great value. Through the first two games of this series against Denver, SGA has scored 14 points and 13 points in the opening quarters. He's averaging 11.2 points on 61.0% shooting and 94.4% from the line during the opening frame in the postseason. With the series tied 1-1 and heading into a crucial Game 3, expect SGA to once again set the tone early and pace the team's attack. As long as he's playing all 12 minutes in the first quarter and getting the same volume of touches, 10+ points looks highly achievable, barring foul trouble.
Russell Westbrook Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-135, FanDuel)
Russell Westbrook's versatile game makes his Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists a solid play. Despite fluctuating minutes, Westbrook consistently makes an impact. Against the Thunder's defensive focus on Jokic, Westbrook has been given opportunities to capitalize. In Game 1, he tallied 18 points, two rebounds, and two assists. In Game 2, he recorded 19 points, one rebound, and five assists. With his scoring leading the way, and untapped rebounding and assist upside, this 21.5 PRA line remains exploitable. Westbrook offers multiple paths to reach this number and should continue to be a threat as the series progresses.
- In the unfolding NBA playoffs, the Cavaliers' Kevin Love, who has partnered with Darius Garland, Evan Mobley, and Collin Sexton, might find more exploitable opportunities with the team's improved performance.
- Despite concerns over the average basketball skills of the Cavaliers' defense, the offensive prowess of Donovan Mitchell seems to shine remarkably in sports like NBA basketball, making him a player to watch out for.
- Transparency in coaching strategies indicates that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, known for his dominance in the first quarter, is expected to continue maintaining this trend in the ongoing series against the Nuggets.
- The NBA season offers various opportunities to invest in the versatile abilities of players, like Russell Westbrook, whose points, rebounds, and assists combined total remains a potentially profitable proposition in the league.
