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The Top NBA Playoffs Player Prop Picks (May 22, 2021)

By Russ Joy

Published: May 22nd, 2021 · 10:08 AM EDT

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The first round of the NBA Playoffs is finally here as basketball fans will be treated to four contests on Saturday starting at 2PM ET.

Let’s take a closer look at the best NBA player prop picks and make some predictions for the May 22, 2021 postseason slate.

The Best NBA Player Prop Picks (May 22, 2021)

The four-game slate begins with the defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat heading on the road to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks. This represents Milwaukee and Miami’s first game in six days, so both squads are expected to be healthy and well-rested. The next game on the docket will feature Luka Dončić’s Dallas Mavericks taking on Kawhi Leonard’s Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center.

An Eastern Conference clash featuring two of the top markets in the country will see the dynamic trio of Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Kevin Durant play host to Jayson Tatum’s Boston Celtics. The final game of the first day of the postseason will see MVP candidate Nikola Jokić’s Denver Nuggets take on Damian Lillard’s Portland Trail Blazers.

Which teams will take the important first step toward achieving their championship dreams?

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo to Record Under 46.5 Combined Points, Rebounds, and Assists (+112, DraftKings Sportsbook)

Two-time reigning NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is one of the most talented players in the league, with an incredible blend of skills and an unbelievable set of physical gifts. However, he’s had his fair share of struggles against the Miami Heat this season.

In his first game against the Heat this season, Giannis put together a line of 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 24:14 of action in a 47-point blowout victory. He followed that up the next night in the second half of a back-to-back with 26 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists (49 total), which came in 38:01 of game actions in an 11-point loss. However, in the most recent meeting between the teams on May 15, Antetokounmpo was held in check, shooting just 6-12 from the field for 15 points to go with nine rebounds and five assists.

In his last six games, Giannis has crossed the 46.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists threshold just once. In last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, Giannis only crossed the same threshold once in four games on the way to a four games to one series loss. Given the uptick in defensive intensity and Miami’s ability to defend Antetokounmpo, we’d advise taking the under.

Click here to get started with DraftKings Sportsbook and lock in 40-1 odds on the NBA Playoffs this month.

 

Kyrie Irving to Make 3+ Three-Point Field Goals (+100, BetMGM)

Perhaps the biggest enigma in the NBA, Kyrie Irving is one of the most talented guards in the league today. His blend of shooting prowess, court vision, and ball handling are possessed by a tiny group of players including his backcourt mate James Harden.

Irving has had his moments this season, taking absences from his team for personal reasons that have led to some national pundits questioning his commitment to the game. However, when the man plays, he’s a dominant force who more than holds his own on as part of the star-studded trio featuring Harden and Kevin Durant.

In his first meeting with the Celtics this season on Christmas Day, Kyrie went 7-10 from beyond the arc in a 28-point rout in Boston. On March 11, he hit five of his eight attempts from deep in a 12-point win in Brooklyn. Irving’s final game against the C’s wasn’t nearly as successful, as he shot 0-6 from deep and just 4-19 from the field in another Nets win. On a positive note, that game represented his only 0-fer in 19 games. Even better, Irving hit at least three shots from deep in each of his last six regular season games.

Note: If you’re even more bullish on Irving to go off from deep, BetMGM is offering Kyrie Irving to make 5+ three-pointers at +500 odds.

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Enes Kanter to Record 8+ Rebounds (+104, FOX Bet)

Lost in the star-studded lineups featuring MVP finalist Nikola Jokić and Damian Lillard, a prop surrounding Portland big man Enes Kanter could hold some of the best value.

Kanter has the ability to disrupt a game and garner extra opportunities in the offensive end by virtue of his presence on the glass. In three matchups against the Nuggets this season, he pulled down 14, 4, and 15 rebounds. The 15-rebound performance came in the teams’ regular season finale, which ended up being a preview of this first round series.

As for recent trends, Kanter has pulled down at least eight rebounds in six of his last seven games and nine of his last twelve games overall.

Note: If you think Kanter will go for 10+ rebounds, FOX Bet has those odds set at +130.

Click here to get 76-1 Sixers playoff odds with FOX Bet PA. Get it in NJ by clicking here.