NBA Playoffs Best Bets (April 24): Odds & Picks For Lakers-Rockets, Celtics-76ers and Spurs-Trail Blazers

The three games in the NBA Playoffs on Friday night each carry a compelling narrative. All three first round series could end up being critical in determining which teams emerge to play in the NBA Finals.

Tonight's Best Bets for BallIsLife Bets are game props for a trio of Game 3's. If you time it just right, you can watch most of all three games. If you wager just right, you may add to the bottom line for NBA Playoffs betting.

(Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Odds for these games are from DraftKings and FanDuel, two of the most popular basketball sports betting sites.

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NBA Playoffs Prop Bets for Friday, April 24

Let's get some quick bets on the table immediately. Here are my three best bets for game props tonight.

Houston has held the Lakers to 104 points per game this series. The defense hasn't been an issue. I see no reason why the Rockets won't continue to keep the score manageable.

• Rockets to Hold Lakers to Under 98.5 Points: -105 (DraftKings)

The Celtics have outplayed the 76ers in almost every area in these first two games. What happened in Game 2? The Sixers shot out of their minds from 3-point range: 17.8% points above their season average. This will not happen again, and Boston will dominate.

• Celtics -11.5 Points on Alternate Spread vs 76ers: +138 (DraftKings)

The Blazers lost their only meeting against the Spurs in Portland last November during the NBA Cup. This time, with a clear path to the basket without Victor Wembanyama in the way. I like Portland to cover and then some, giving 3.5 points on the Alternate Spread line from DraftKings.

• Trail Blazers -3.5 on Alternate Spread vs Spurs: +169

NOTE: For my game previews section below, I'll only make a pick on the moneyline.

Lakers vs. Rockets Preview and Playoffs Game Pick

Who could have predicted that the Lakers would be up 2-0 in their playoff series, while the Celtics and Spurs were knotted at 1-1? Entering the postseason, the Lakers had more crutches, bandages, and aspirin at hand than any other team still standing. Injuries have kept Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves in street clothes.

But the Lakers seem to have dusted off "Showtime" under the guidance of The Ancient King, LeBron James.

The Lakers now try to win a road playoff game in the hostile Toyota Center in Houston. Will it be difficult? The Lakers actually were 2-0 in Houston in the regular season, winning by an eight-point margin each time.

But Houston's offense can't be as tentative and inefficient as it was in either Game 1 or Game 2 back in Los Angeles. Long, tall Kevin Durant looked passive in Game 2 returning from (another) injury. He has to look to shoot first tonight, and not dump the basketball off when he is the best option, especially when he finds his big feet in the paint and near the iron.

The Rockets are a physical, athletic bunch around the rim. They led the NBA in rebounding, and have a huge advantage over LA in that facet of the game. Yet, the Lakers were able to hold that margin to 86-72 in the first two games. The Rockets need to dominate on missed shots to create more second-chance opportunities, and clean up the defensive rebounding stats.

• NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Rockets on Moneyline at -330 (FanDuel)

Celtics vs. 76ers Preview and Playoffs Game Pick

The Celtics are a great team, and currently reside as the odds favorite to win the Eastern Conference and play in the NBA Finals. That's because Boston has three excellent two-way players, shoots well from beyond the arc, and also can bang inside. This is a team built for transition play or half court.

The 76ers got tremendously lucky in Game 2, shooting almost 50% from downtown. The amazing 3-point effort was the only reason Philly left Boston with a surprising win.

Tonight, the Celtics will clamp down on the long-range shooting, and I suspect Jayson Tatum will play much better than he has this series so far.

• NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Boston to Win on Moneyline at -350 (FanDuel)

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Spurs vs. Trail Blazers Preview and Playoffs Game Pick

No Wemby, more worries. That's the problem for the San Antonio Spurs, who were developing into a great pick to challenge the OKC Thunder for the Western crown. But Wembanyama will likely miss Game 3 due to a concussion he suffered in Game 2 back in San Antonio.

According to NBA.com and Yahoo! Sports, Wemby will travel to Portland for Game 3, and he's been technically cleared from concussion protocol. But, he's still listed as questionable. I would suggest betting this game as if he were not going to play.

The absence of Wembanyama means the Spurs defense will be exposed, having to fill in for the many things the superstar provides as a rim protector and disrupting passing lanes. I can't see how the Spurs will be able to manage that in a tough road playoff game.

Here's the biggest problem for the Spurs: when we remove Wemby from the stats, the team is shooting 43% from the field. Not from 3-point range, but from ANYWHERE on the floor.

• NBA Playoffs Best Bets: Take the Trail Blazers to grab a lead in the series on the ML at +126 (FanDuel)