The NBA Playoffs have provided highlight after highlight as the first round heads toward a close. Two series have already been decided, and three more teams can lock up conference semifinal berths tonight with road wins against higher-seeded teams.
The New York Knicks can advance beyond the first round for the first time since 2012-13 with a win in Cleveland on Wednesday. The Cavs are 5.5-point favorites to stave off elimination after scoring more than 97 points just once in the first four games.
In Memphis, the Grizzlies are favored by four after dropping both matchups in LA. The Lakers have averaged 118.7 points per game in three victories en route to a 3-1 lead, while the Grizzlies held LeBron and company to 93 points in their lone win.
Miami brings a 3-1 series lead back to Milwaukee after taking both games at home. Jimmy Butler heroically poured in 56 points on 28 shots to earn all of the ‘Himmy Butler’ memes sent his way on social media. The four-time All-NBA forward is averaging 36.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.
The late-night chaser for Wednesday evening features the only game between teams in a tied series. The Kings and Warriors both held serve through the first four matchups, and Sacramento will look to maintain home court in this pivotal Game 5.
Our best bets in the player prop department, brought to you by PrizePicks, are presented next. We finished 2-1 on the prop card last Wednesday.
RJ Barrett OVER 17.5 Points
Barrett has averaged 13.6 field goal attempts per game and attempted fewer than 12 shots just once in nine career playoff appearances dating back to New York’s series against Atlanta two seasons ago.
His shooting percentage is up slightly in this series (41.8%) compared to the 38.8% he shot in 2021, and he set a new postseason career high with 26 points in Game 4 despite going 0-of-6 from three.
We expect Barrett to eclipse the 20-point mark again on Wednesday and are on his over.
Austin Reaves OVER 19.5 Pts+Rebs
The Oklahoma Sooner has played more minutes for the Lakers than anyone not named LeBron James or Anthony Davis in the first four games against Memphis.
He’s averaged 22.3 combined points and rebounds per game this series while shooting 49% from the floor and 41% from three, and has scored 23 points twice while hauling in four or more rebounds in three of the four contests.
The man they call Hillbilly Kobe will look to channel some of that mamba mentality as the Lakers try to close out the Grizz in Memphis.
Giannis Antetokuonmpo OVER 40.5 Pts+Rebs
Giannis missed Games 2 & 3 in this series with a lower back injury but filled up the stat sheet in the Bucks’ loss to the Heat in Game 4.
Brook Lopez led Milwaukee in scoring as Antetokuonmpo racked up 13 assists, but we’re expecting a different version of the two-time MVP during a home elimination game on Wednesday. He averaged a ridiculous 51 combined points and rebounds per game in six home playoff matchups against Chicago and Boston last season.
We wouldn’t be surprised to see him eclipse the 50-mark again tonight across these two categories, so take Giannis to go over this total in a game Milwaukee has to have.
