
It's Sunday, and the NBA Playoffs continue today!
(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
With four games on the slate, game four is coming in hot! Get ready, several games have been chippy, and that may continue tonight.
For the first matchup in the East, the Detroit Pistons (1-2) will host the New York Knicks (2-1) at home. This is a must win matchup for the Pistons, who are slim 1.5 point spread favorites. Can Detroit sneak in a victory before the series heads back to the Big Apple?
In the West, the Minnesota Timberwolves (2-1) will host the Los Angeles Lakers (1-2). Can the Lakers bounce back as 2.5 point spread underdogs after Luka Doncic came down with a stomach bug? LeBron put the Lakers on his back with 38 points. However, the King will need help today.
Up 2-1, the Boston Celtics will face the Orlando Magic (1-2) on the road today. It's been a physical series, and the Celtics will remain without guard Jrue Holiday for a second consecutive game. 6.5 point spread favorites on the road, can the Celtics extend the lead before the series heads back to Boston?
The late night matchup will feature the Indiana Pacers (2-1) and Milwaukee Bucks (1-2). The Bucks were able to overcome a 117-101 victory, can they even the series as 4.5 point spread favorites tonight at home?
TEAM VS TEAM | MONEYLINE | SPREAD | TOTALS |
---|---|---|---|
Knicks vs Pistons | +115 / -140 | +1.5 / -1.5 | O/U 217.5 |
Lakers vs Timberwolves | +120 / -145 | +2.5 / -2.5 | O/U 208.5 |
Celtics vs Magic | -300 / +240 | -6.5 / +6.5 | O/U 196.5 |
Pacers vs Bucks | +155 / -190 | +4.5 / -4.5 | O/U 226.5 |
As we get further into the NBA playoffs, we've seen more physicality from teams. With that said, it becomes more challenging as the games go on!
If you're looking to bet on NBA Playoff player props, welcome back! I am up nearly 13 units in April betting on props, and would love to continue that today! Keep in mind, as we get deeper into the playoffs, I also preach responsible betting.
Today, I've placed each bet as single wagers, all placed within FanDuel Sportsbook.
The early afternoon matchup between the Knicks and Pistons will tip-off at 1 p.m. ET on ABC. Next up, the 3:30 p.m. ET matchup featuring the Lakers and Timberwolves will air on ABC as well.
On the east coast, the Celtics and Magic matchup will begin at 7 p.m. ET on TNT. Set to air on the same network, the Pacers and Bucks will tip-off at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Here are my top three player prop bets and predictions for the Sunday, April 27 NBA playoff matchups!
Are you looking to bet on NBA player props all playoffs long? Here at Ballislife Bets, we've gathered a complete list of the best sports betting offers here.
PPG: 26 | FG: 43.3 % | FT: 80 % | 3PT : 30.8 % | REB: 8.3 | AST: 8.7 | STL: 2.0 | BLK: 0.7
My first best bet for today, I placed one unit on Pistons star Cade Cunningham to record over 27.5 points vs the Knicks.
Cunningham has been sensational, averaging 26 points in three playoff games. Although his shooting percentages lack, he remains the Pistons's primary scorer in the series. It's vital Cunningham attacks down hill tonight? Why is this important? The Knicks allow the most free-throw attempts in the playoffs (27 FTA).
Last game wasn't tremendous. Cunningham created six turnovers, and scored 24 points in 42 minutes. The Knicks made things hard for Cunningham, who finished just 10-25 from the field.
This player prop line is a bit inflated and that's okay. The NBA voted Cunningham as one of the most underrated player and there's a reason why.
With Detroit winning their first playoff game in 15 years, Cunningham finished 11-21 from the field, hitting 11 of 12 free-throw attempts. In that 33 point performance, we saw Cunningham get physical, often taking OG Anunoby and Josh Hart 1 v 1.
Leading the Pistons with 22.3 field goal attempts per game, I love this prop based off of shot volume and minutes (41.3) alone. Although the Pistons have supplemental double-digit scorers in Dennis Schroder, Tobias Harris, Tim Hardaway Jr., Malik Beasley, and Jalen Duren, it all starts with Cunningham.
The Knicks play tough defense, although they rank No. 9 in defensive rating in the playoffs (112.7). Cunningham dominated the Knicks in the regular season, Scoring 29+ points in three games, averaging, 30.4 points in four outings. Although his 3-point shot has dipped to 30.8 percent in the playoffs, Cunningham shot 56.3 percent from the field, and 52 percent in four games against the Knicks.
PPG: 32.3 | FG: 46.8 % | FT: 68 % | 3PT : 47.1 % | REB: 8.7 | AST: 4.0 | STL: 1.0 | BLK: 1.0
My second best bet for today, I placed one unit on Magic star Paolo Banchero to record over 28.5 points vs the Celtics.
How many players can say they are averaging 42.3 point in a first-round of a playoff series? Recording 29, 32, and 36 points, Banchero is the catalyst to the Magic's offense. One that's struggled all season long.
Logging 97 points and 127 minutes, Banchero has shot and impeccable 8-17 (47.1 percent) from downtown in the series!
Accounting for nearly 35 percent of the team's total offense, it starts with Banchero on both ends of the court. Celtics wingman Jaylen Brown acknowledged the physicality of the series, noting "There might be a fight break out."
Is this really the time to fade Banchero? In a must win game to face elimination in Boston, the former Duke star leads the Magic with 25.7 field goal attempts per game. Let's face it, the Magic struggle on offense, which is mainly fueled by Banchero and Franz Wagner (23.7 FGA). After that, the production and shot volume drops off significantly.
Unless Banchero and the Magic completely fold, this is a strong player prop bet for today. Recording 29+ points in four of the last six games against Boston, Banchero has to continue to step up here.
Putting up 77 shots in a single round of the playoffs is insane volume, along with the minutes. Plus, Banchero has gotten to the charity stripe 25 times so far.
This is the reason why the Magic drafted Banchero No.1 overall. I don't expect him to come down to earth. Despite the Celtics ranking No.4 in defensive rating (106), they've had zero answers for Banchero.
Overall, the Celtics allow the least points in the NBA playoffs with 93.7, and the Magic are the least efficient team on the offensive end. The biggest advantage the Magic has is the absence of Jrue Holiday. Small but mighty, Holiday and Jaylen Brown are often tasked with defending the highest scorer. Brown is questionable to suit up with an ongoing knee issue.
PPG: 21 | FG: 50 % | FT: 100 % | 3PT : 40 % | REB: 4.3 | AST: 4.0 | STL: 1.3 | BLK: 1.0
My third best bet for today, I placed one unit on Celtics guard Derrick White to record over 14.5 points today vs the Magic.
Jrue Holiday is listed out for today's game. With that said, I think the books are sleeping on Derrick White. White is one of the most prolific two-way players in the game, and a crucial x-factor for the Celtics.
While both could suit up, White has emerged as the real threat, and the Celtics third scoring option with 21 points and 15.3 field goal attempts per game.
This player prop is strong for a few reasons. With Holiday out of the lineup, it's time for Payton Pritchard and White to lead the back court. A reliable 3-point option in the past, wing Sam Hauser has had minimal production. White is a person that will lose a tooth for this team, something that happened last season.
Aforementioned in my previous article, the Magic are without Jalen Suggs, and allow nearly 24 points to point guards.
Without Holiday, White has recorded 16+ points in two consecutive games, and has been a primary reason why the Celtics are the most elite 3-point shooting team. Shooting nearly 40 percent from deep in this series, White leads all Celtics players with four trey balls per game.
In transition, pull up, or in the catch and shoot, White is averaging 10 3-pointers per game alone! He hasn't shot the rock well (25 %) over the last two games.
In all honestly, White can hit 80 percent of this player prop from 3-pointers alone. This line is straight up disrespectful in a game four scenario. Pouring in 68 points and 114 minutes, White accounts for nearly 21 percent of the Celtics offense!
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