Best Bets on Today’s NBA Player Props Market
If you’re looking for some plays for the NBA Playoffs action on Friday, May 5th, we have you covered in every way possible. As always, we’ll have best bets to give you some ideas of what to back when it comes to moneylines, spreads and totals. However, we’re tackling player props here, and we’re targeting James Harden and Devin Booker tonight. Keep reading to find out how we’re betting on them. Also, check out our NBA Playoffs Hub for all of our postseason NBA content.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on May 5
Here are our favorite NBA prop bets for Friday, May 5:
Boston Celtics at Philadelphia 76ers (-2.5, 214.5) – Game 3
We unfortunately backed James Harden to make at least three triples in Game 2, but he responded to his 45-point Game 1 performance by scoring just 12 points on 2-of-14 shooting from the floor and 0-for-6 shooting from 3 in Game 2. The series is, however, heading back to Philadelphia, where Harden should be a lot more comfortable with his surroundings. And the Celtics likely won’t come out with the same hunger they did in Game 2, when their season was essentially on the line.
Harden might not score 45 points again in this series, but the fact he has taken 20 shots from deep through two games is a great sign when looking at a prop like this one. We can live with Harden not making his shots as long as he is just taking them, and the lefty superstar has proven that he is more than willing to launch away in this series. Also, Joel Embiid looked a bit out of it for the Sixers in Game 2. If he brings his A-game in Game 3, Harden should get much cleaner looks at the basket. So, we’re taking Harden to make at least three 3s tonight and we’re not looking back.
Bet: Harden Over 2.5 Made 3s (-120)
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns (-4, 225) – Game 3
The Suns are likely going to be starting Cam Payne in place of an injured Chris Paul in Game 3, but that doesn’t mean much of anything. Payne is not a guarantee to play at least 30 minutes in this game, especially if he doesn’t bring it on the defensive end. The most likely scenario is that Phoenix completely hands the keys over to Devin Booker, who is one of the most underrated passers in the league.
Booker averaged 5.5 assists per game during the regular season, and he is already averaging 7.0 assists per game in this series. Booker also happened to have two games with more than eight assists against the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, and eight is the number he’ll need in order to help us cash this bet.
The reality is that Booker is going to play north of 40 minutes in this contest, and he’s going to have the ball in his hands for most of it. If that’s the case, it’ll be difficult for him not to hit the eight-assist mark.
Bet: Booker Over 7.5 Assists (-135)
