NBA Playoffs Player Props Today: 3 Best NBA Prop Bets and Odds May 1

It's May, and we have a fresh month ahead betting on the NBA!

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The NBA Playoffs continue, and two game sixes are on the line tonight!

Up 3-2, the New York Knicks will head to the Motor City to face the Detroit Pistons. This has been a physical series all along, and the Pistons aren't going away easy. They've been barking at the door and get a home matchup after a gutsy game five victory, 106- 103.

Perhaps one of the most exciting NBA playoff series has been between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers. Down 3-2, the Clippers are heavy 6.5 point spread favorites at home tonight. Blown out 131-115 in game five, the Nuggets offense was simply too potent.

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.

BetMGM NBA Playoffs Odds And Schedule For Thursday, May 1

Let's start out the month fresh by cashing out these player props tonight! If you're betting on the NBA playoffs, the schedule goes as followed.

The Knicks and Pistons will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET, and the Nuggets and Clippers at 10 p.m. ET. Both games will air on TNT, so get your popcorn out!

In this article, I will break down my three best bets and player prop picks for the May 1 NBA matchups! It's important to note, I've placed each wager as separate bets. As the playoffs get deeper, betting gets more challenging!

NBA Player Prop Bet #1: Jamal Murray

Jamal Murray 2025 Playoff Stats

PPG: 24.6 | FG: 48.4 % | FT: 93.3 % | 3PT : 44.7 % | REB: 4.8 | AST: 6.2 | STL: 1.6 |  BLK: 0.4

• Over 20.5 Points (-114 FanDuel)

My best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray to record over 20.5 points in game six against the Clippers.

Murray was undoubtedly the game five hero, erupting for 43 points on 17-26 field goal shooting. Murray was unstoppable, splashing from 8-14 from beyond the arc.

Arguably Murray's most prominent performance since the bubble days, the Nuggets were firing as a whole on all cylinders.

Do I think Murray will repeat a 40+ point performance tonight? Absolutely not. This is a Clippers team that ranked no. 3 in defensive rating (114.3) during the regular season! Pouring 131 points on their head was unfathomable.

Murray's betting props have been up and down all season, however, he's been stellar in the playoffs. Averaging 24.6 points through five games,  Murray fell under this player prop line just once.

In that matchup, Murray simply didn't have it, finishing 5-17 from the field, and 1-5 from 3-point.

Why Jamal Murray Can Carry The Nuggets Past The Clippers

Let's face it. The Clippers are facing elimination at home tonight. With that said, Denver will need their top stars to close this out. The Nuggets leading scorer behind Nikola Jokic in the playoffs, Murray leads the team with 41.8 minutes per game! I'm not expecting Murray to leave the court much tonight.

When averaging 41+ minutes, Murray has soared over this player prop line in three of the last four against the Clippers dating back to 2023 (19.5 PPG).

Not to mention, Murray has scored 21+ points in five of the last six outings against the Clippers, including the regular season.

With a 24.7 percent usage rate in the playoffs, Murray has scored 123 of the Nuggets 529 total points this series (23 %). With 209 minutes played and 95 field goal attempts, I'm comfortable with this prop tonight.

Given the Clippers allowed point guards to score an average of 24 points in the regular season, Murray recorded his sixth 40-point career playoff game. Attacking the basket downhill, Murray looked as comfortable as ever.

This Player Prop Line Is Set Low

Overall, I truly feel the books are sleeping on Murray, especially after that last performance. Notching 40+ minutes in all five games, he has 53 shot attempts, and 19 from the 3-point line over the last two games.

The Nuggets have scorers and depth in Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, Michael Porter Jr., and Russell Westbrook behind Murray and Jokic. However, Murray leads the Nuggets in field goal attempts for a reason (19 FGA). With that, he leads Denver's 3-point attack with 7.6 trey balls per game.

Final NBA Playoffs Player Prop Betting Prediction: Jamal Murray Over 20.5 Points (-114 FanDuel)

Jokic scored just 13 points, I expect him to bounce back. However, 20.5 points is simply too low with the way Murray has been lighting up the Clippers.

• I'm riding with Jamal Murray to record over 20.5 points today. 

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NBA Player Prop Bet #2: Karl-Anthony Towns

Karl-Anthony Towns 2025 Playoff Stats

PPG: 21.6 | FG: 50 % | FT: 94.1 % | 3PT : 50 % | REB: 9.0  | AST: 1.6| STL: 1.0 |  BLK: 1.6

• Over 1.5 Made Threes (-168 FanDuel)

My second best bet, I placed one unit on Knicks big man Karl-Anthony Towns to record over 1.5 made threes against the Pistons.

We all remember Towns notorious 3-point shot late in the fourth quarter to propel the Knicks to a 94-93 game four victory over Detroit. Not to mention, his additional trey ball to keep the Knicks in play in that last quarter.

Overall, Towns has been sensational for the Knicks, although he had a down game two performance with just 10 points.

Scoring 23+ points in three of the five series matchups, Towns is the second leading scorer for the Knicks this post-season behind Jalen Brunson with 21.6 points.

Is Karl-Anthony Towns The Best Shooting Big Man In The NBA?

Towns is arguable one of the most pristine big men in the NBA that's able to stretch the floor. Second on the Knicks in field goal attempts (16 FGA), he's averaged 4.8 3-point attempts per game. Leading all Knicks with a 50 percent 3-point stat, he hasn't soared under this player prop since game two.

As the series has progressed, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau has unlocked how to successfully utilize Towns in his first playoff stint with the Knicks.

In the past three matchups against the Pistons, Towns has 19 3-point attempts alone, shooting 50 percent and above in all three. Not to mention, he's averaging 37.6 minutes in the series.

If Towns can stay out of foul trouble, this is a strong prop. It's been a physical series, and with that, Towns has racked up 10 personal fouls over the last two matchups. That's certainly a factor to watch out for.

Is Karl-Anthony Towns The Knicks X-Factor?

I'll call it how I see it, Towns will have to drag Jalen Duren out of the the paint, and it's worked. Totaling 11 3-pointers over the last three games, KAT has cleared this line in 7 of the last 11 against the Pistons, dating back to 2022.

Sure, the Knicks are on the road, but that has been a non-factor for KAT. Averaging 2.8 3-pointers in the last six outings vs the Knicks, this is a Pistons team that allowed the fifth highest 3-point percentage in the NBA this season (36.7 %).

The Pistons continue to struggle to contain big men beyond the arc, and the Knicks will look to close this one out.

Speaking of Jalen Duren, he may be in trouble in Isaiah Stewart is unable to suit up. Putting Tobias Harris on Karl-Anthony Towns may be a recipe for disaster. Over the last three games, KAT is 6-11 (55 %) from 3-point when Duren is the primary defender.

Final NBA Playoffs Player Prop Betting Prediction: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 Made Threes (-168 FanDuel)

Sure, Duren and Towns will have their battles down below, Duren is averaging 10 points and 11.6 rebounds in the series. However, the Knicks are much more successful in driving downhill when KAT spaces the floor.

• I'm going with Karl-Anthony Towns to record over 1.5 made threes tonight. 

NBA Player Prop Bet #3: Aaron Gordon

Aaron Gordon 2025 Playoff Stats

PPG: 18.2 | FG: 49.2 % | FT: 85.2 % | 3PT: 40 % | REB: 6.2  | AST: 1.8 | STL: 0.6 |  BLK: 0.2

• Over 19.5 Points + Rebounds (-104 FanDuel)

My third best bet for tonight, I placed one unit on Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon to record over 19.5 points and rebounds in game six against the Clippers.

After a spectacular second half of the season, Aaron Gordon is "that guy," This Nuggets team is primarily led by Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, but don't let that fool you.

We can't forget Gordon's game saving, and potentially series saving dunk with .1 seconds left in game four. Sensational in the series, Gordon has averaged 18.2 points and 6.2 rebounds through five matchups.

Aforementioned, the Nuggets have some heavy hitters and real threats. We saw this last game, where Murray and Westbrook completely took over. However, Gordon is the Nuggets third leading scorer for a reason (18.2).

Playing heavy minutes throughout the series (39), Gordon is the Nuggets third leading rebounder behind Jokic and Braun with 6.2 RPG. With 12.5 field goal attempts, I like this prop from a points perspective alone!

What I don't understand is how this player prop is nearly plus money! Gordon has soared over 19.5 points and rebounds in six straight games against the Clippers! If you break down the math, that's an average of 23.7 points and rebounds.

Aaron Gordon Was The Game 4 Hero With A Last Second Dunk

Not to mention, Gordon has a combined 27 free-throw attempts and 91 points through five matchups. Accounting for 17 percent of the Nuggets offense, I'm assuming the Clippers will attempt to double Jokic all night.

One thing's for certain. Gordon has the height advantage over Leonard, as we've seen with dunks and lobs this series. Plus, we are talking about Gordon, who's averaging well over 6.0 rebounds in this series alone!

Playing 40 minutes per game, we should see massive minutes from Gordon, unless it's a blowout. In the five games he averaged this many minutes, Gordon averaged 31.2 points and rebounds over that span.

Gordon is able to stretch the floor, and will hit the occasional 3-pointer. After all, he is shooting 50 percent from long range. However, I expect him to bully his way into the paint, and attempt to avoid foul trouble.

Final NBA Playoffs Player Prop Betting Prediction: Aaron Gordon Over 19.5 Points + Rebounds (-104 FanDuel)

With 20+ points in two games this series, Gordon has put up a solid 63 shots in the series. Not to mention, the Nuggets hold a 52.8 rebound percentage in the playoffs. The Clippers rank no. 10 in rebounding in the post season.

• I'm going with Aaron Gordon to record over 19.5 points and rebounds tonight.