There are four NBA playoff games on Wednesday night. Three of those four matchups feature teams with a chance to clinch a spot in the next round. We swept our NBA player props on Tuesday, making it a 4-1 start to the week. Let’s stay hot!
The two Eastern Conference games include the Knicks vs. Cavaliers and Heat vs. Bucks. Both of the lower-seeded teams, the Knicks and Heat, find themselves up 3-1 as they head on the road.
Meanwhile, I’m eyeing a couple of player props from the Western Conference meetings. You can catch both the Lakers vs. Grizzlies and Warriors vs. Kings on TNT. Plays are listed in order of my confidence. But make sure to also note the amount of units I’m wagering on each bet as another indicator.
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Lakers At Grizzlies NBA Player Props
Game Notes
Los Angeles returns to Memphis with a 3-1 lead. The Lakers are listed as underdogs in the game, with a point total set at .
L.A. needed an extra five minutes of overtime to defeat Memphis just two nights ago. After a day of travel on Tuesday, one has to wonder how much veterans LeBron James and Anthony Davis will have in the tank for Wednesday. I expect the aging Lakers to turn once again to 24-year-old Austin Reaves and his youthful energy to carry the scoring in Game 5.
Let’s ride with the over for his points prop.
Austin Reaves Over 15.5 Points (-108 FD | 1u) // 20+ Pts (+240 FD | .25u)
Here are Reaves’ core points, rebounds, and assists props for the game against the Grizzlies:
- Points: Over/Under /
- Rebounds: Over/Under /
- Assists: /
The Lakers were initially priced at around +102 to move on to the next round. After winning Game 4 to take a 3-1 lead, they’re set at -1000 to defeat Memphis one more time.
James & Co. seemed determined to head back to Memphis with a series lead. James posted a historic 20-point, 20-rebound performance alongside seven assists. He also played 27 of 29 minutes between the second half and overtime. Davis wasn’t far behind him, playing 24 minutes from the second half onwards. He also re-injured his hip in Game 4 and was noticeably hampered by it.
Reaves, however, is a lively 24-years old and has considerably less mileage on his tires than James or Davis. Reaves has become an integral part of the Lakers’ success since joining the starting lineup with a few weeks left in the regular season. He’s also become equally as important to the team’s end-of-game success, playing most of the fourth quarter in close contests.
Reliable Scoring Punch
Reaves is the type of unique player that should get plenty of burn regardless of whether or not this game turns into a blowout. He’s become invaluable at the end of close games with his ability to knock down open shots, create his own shot, and even get to the foul line for a few easy points.
The first two games of this series were over before the last five minutes of the final quarter, and Reaves played almost nine minutes in both of them. The next two games were slightly closer with both teams feeling they had a chance to win at the end of the game. In both of those, Reaves played the entire fourth and the entire overtime period of Game 4.
Reaves has hit the over on Wednesday night’s points prop in two-of-four playoff games against the Grizzlies. But, it’s important to follow the minutes. In Game 1, Reaves only saw 30 minutes of floor action. Over the next three games, he posted 37, 35, and 42 minutes. I’m confident the Lakers will rely heavily on their budding star to soak up minutes as the number one or two option on offense for a large portion of his playing time.
Josh Lander is 50-29 and up 22+ units betting NBA player props over the last two months. Check out the NBA Coast 2 Coast podcast each and every weekday with co-host Nate Weitzer and give him a follow on Twitter, @jlboogy. Click on the odds below to bet now.
Editor’s Note
Warriors At Kings NBA Player Props
Game Notes
The Kings and Warriors will take the short ride back to Sacramento for Game 5 all knotted up at two. The Kings are listed as slight underdogs in the game, with a point total set at .
Malik Monk Over 16.5 Points (+100 FD | 1.5u) // Monk 20+ Pts (+210 FD | .5u)
Here are Monk’s core points, rebounds, and assists props for the game against the Warriors:
- Points: Over/Under /
- Rebounds: Over/Under /
- Assists: /
Sacramento’s loss in Game 4 was more costly than just allowing Golden State back into the series. De’Aaron Fox, a NBA All-Star point guard, also broke the index finger of his shooting hand in the fourth quarter and is questionable to play on Wednesday night. It seems like he’s going to give it a go, but how effective he’ll be as a shooter remains to be seen.
Fox’s enhanced shooting abilities have kept Golden State from being able to sag off of the three-point line and pack in its defense to crowd Domantas Sabonis. If Fox isn’t able to effectively shoot the ball, the Kings will need to turn elsewhere for someone to keep the Warriors defense on its toes around the perimeter.
Monk, the Kings’ sixth man, is perfectly suited to pick up said slack. At 6-foot-4, Monk is right around the same height as Fox and equally confident attacking the rim. Though he lacks the same quickness as Fox, he’s a much better shooter. In fact, Monk is a 35.9% career three-point shooter.
Even if Fox is able to play on Wednesday, he’ll need a surrogate shooter to make up for his now-limited capabilities. I’ll take over Monk’s projected points prop for Game 5.
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