Best NBA Player Prop Bets for Boston Celtics vs. Philadelphia 76ers - Game 3, May 5
What kind of performances can we expect on Friday from Jaylen Brown, Joel Embiid, and James Harden? Follow along as our NBA betting expert, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite NBA prop bets for today — Friday, May 5, 2023. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more NBA player props, at ScoresandOdds.
On Friday evening, the NBA postseason will continue, beginning with Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
Joel Embiid returned to the floor for Game 2 after the 76ers stole Game 1, but the Celtics were still able to even the series before heading to the City of Brotherly Love for tonight’s action. Ahead of tip-off, the market has priced Boston as 2.5-point favorites on the spread, with the total set at over/under 215.5 points.
We are 53-51-1 on player prop recommendations to begin the postseason. For those who would prefer to attack the player prop market rather than a side or total, we have three leans below for tonight’s action!
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NBA Player Props – 76ers vs. Celtics, May 5, 2023
- Jaylen Brown o5.5 rebounds
- Joel Embiid o25.5 points
- James Harden u2.5 three-pointers made
Jaylen Brown o5.5 rebounds (-115), PointsBet
During the regular season, Jaylen Brown averaged 6.9 rebounds per game. However, he has only recorded six or more rebounds once in five meetings against the Philadelphia 76ers this season, which is likely why we are getting a discount on the market number in this spot. Nevertheless, Brown is in a good bounce-back position this evening in Game 3 after playing only 30 minutes in Game 2. Brown collected six boards in 42 minutes in the series opener, but a blowout game script on Wednesday night deflated his opportunities. Assuming we get a competitive game script this evening, he should be able to deliver here.
Joel Embiid o25.5 points (-110), BetMGM
After missing the series opener due to a knee injury, Joel Embiid returned to the floor for Game 2, scoring 15 points in only 27 minutes of action. Embiid did not have his best offensive performance in that matchup, but five blocked shots and had eight free throw attempts while playing 27 of the first 36 minutes of the game make it more likely than not that we see Embiid play at least 30 minutes in Game 3. According to props.cash, Embiid eclipsed this market number in 50 of 59 games played this year when playing at least 30 minutes, including 28 of 35 contests at home. Take the over in this spot.
NBA DFS Pick’em
James Harden less than 2.5 three-pointers made, PrizePicks
James Harden has hit the over at this market number in 22 of his 35 home games this season, but he could find it difficult to continuing building on that trend on Friday night against the Boston Celtics. During the regular season, the Celtics’ defense ranked 4th-best in the NBA defending the three-point line, holding their opponents to a stifling 34.5% on shot attempts from beyond the arc. This could be a sweat, but Harden is likely to have less than three three-pointers made against this strong Boston perimeter defense.
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