Clark’s ‘Caps: NBA playoffs player prop predictions – Round 1, 5/30

Geoff Clark breaks down three NBA player prop bet predictions for Sunday’s first-round NBA playoffs card.

Four pivotal Game 4s are on the NBA’s Sunday docket as each series is currently 2-1 with the higher-seeded teams returning home for Game 5. Below, we’ll highlight the top NBA player prop predictions.

Julius Randle tries to end his playoff slump when his New York Knicks (1-2) visit the red-hot Trae Young and Atlanta Hawks (2-1) in State Farm Arena at 1 p.m. ET.

Next, LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers (2-1) hope to put Phoenix Suns (1-2) on the ropes before heading back to Arizona for Game 5. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.

Then the Boston Celtics (1-2) surprisingly have a chance to even their series with the Brooklyn Nets (2-1) after Jayson Tatum dropped a 50-burger in Game 3 to key Boston’s victory. The action is set to get underway in TD Garden at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Finally, at 9:30 p.m. ET, the Dallas Mavericks (2-1) look to Luka Doncic to keep up his dazzling postseason performance at American Airlines Center when they host the Los Angeles Clippers (1-2).

Sunday’s NBA player prop bet predictions

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:01 a.m. ET.

Los Angeles Lakers PG Dennis Schröder OVER 14.5 points (-135)

While LeBron and Anthony Davis getting a majority of the attention makes sense it that also hides the fact that first-year Laker Dennis Schröder is playing very well in this series.

Schröder has posted an efficient 19.3 points per game on 67.8% true shooting (.559/.400/.800) and has scored more than 14.5 points in the past two games while scoring 14 points in Game 1 on 5-of-7 shooting.

During the regular season, Schröder put up 19.5 points per game on 55.8% true shooting (.452/.444/.778) in two games against the Suns.

Furthermore, Schröder could be the benefactor of each team’s injury situations because AD is dealing with knee soreness, which might mean more plays being run for Schröder, while the injury to Chris Paul‘s shoulder makes Phoenix’s backcourt defense a little softer.

BET D. Schröder OVER 14.5 points (-135) for 1 unit.

Special NBA Playoff Promotion!

Place a $1 bet on either team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if either team hits a 3-pointer during the game.

Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV.

Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Boston Celtics G Marcus Smart OVER 2.5 made 3-pointers (+110)

Marcus Smart has been chucking and sinking threes in Boston’s first-round series with Brooklyn, attempting a team-high eight 3-pointers per game, while his 54.2% 3-point percentage is good for second on the team.

Brooklyn’s defense has been known to take naps since the offense is one of the deadliest in NBA history. The Nets were ranked 23rd in defensive rating during the regular season and 3-point attempts allowed per game.

Also, during the regular season, Smart shot an above-average 36.4% from behind the arc in his three games against the Nets, making three 3-pointers in two of those games. In the one game he didn’t reach that mark he attempted 10 threes.

Finally, with Tatum going off for 50 points in Game 3 we could see Brooklyn expend more of its defensive bandwidth on him, which should help Smart get more open looks.

BET M. Smart OVER 2.5 made 3-pointers (+110) for a half unit.

Dallas Mavericks big Kristaps Porziņģis UNDER 7.5 rebounds (-135)

Kristaps Porziņģis is listed as Dallas’s starting center but plays more like a stretch-4 and spends a lot more time outside the paint than in it.

For instance, Porziņģis has the eighth-highest rebounding rate on Dallas out of the 10 Mavs that have played during this series and is averaging just 3.7 boards on 33.9 minutes per game.

Moreover, KP has grabbed more than eight boards in just one of his past nine games, a stretch that includes this playoff series and dates back to April 21 of the regular season.

Whether Porziņģis plays power forward or center, the Clippers have done a good job keeping opponents at both positions off of the glass. They’ve held opposing power forwards to the fewest rebounds per game and opposing centers to the 10th-fewest rebounds per game.

BET K. Porziņģis UNDER 7.5 rebounds (-135) for 1 unit.

Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Want some action on these props? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow Geoff Clark on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional NBA sports coverage:
HoopsHype | Celtics Wire | LeBron Wire | Lonzo Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]