NBA Player Props Today: Best Bets & Predictions for Thursday (5/9)
What kind of performances can we expect on Thursday from Darius Garland, Kyrie Irving, and Jalen Williams? Follow along as our NBA betting expert, Nick Galaida, breaks down three of his favorite NBA prop bets for today — Thursday, May 9, 2024. Get all of Nick’s picks, including more NBA player props, at ScoresandOdds.
Thursday’s NBA playoff schedule features 2 games, beginning at 7:00 PM ET with a matchup between the Cavaliers and Celtics on ESPN. Immediately following the conclusion of that game, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks will play Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder, also on ESPN.
If looking to target the player prop market today, we have three player prop leans worth considering for Thursday, May 9th!
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NBA Player Props Today – Thursday, May 9, 2024
Darius Garland Over/Under 15.5 Points
Kyrie Irving Over/Under 23.5 Points
Jalen Williams Over/Under 5.5 Rebounds
Darius Garland Over/Under 15.5 Points
Garland had only 14 points in Cleveland’s Game 1 loss against the Celtics, but that had more to do with inefficiency than a lack of opportunity. He had 15 shot attempts, including 8 shots from beyond the arc, but shot only 40% from the field, including 25% from 3-point territory.
Assuming we see a more competitive game on Thursday evening, Garland should once again be a focal point of the Cleveland offense. If he can improve his efficiency at all, this could be an easy over at this market number.
- PICK: Garland OVER 15.5 Points (-110), DraftKings
Kyrie Irving Over/Under 23.5 Points
Kyrie had only 20 points in Dallas’ Game 1 loss against Oklahoma City, but he tied a playoff-low with only 14 shot attempts in a blowout game script. Tonight, the Mavericks are likely to do everything they possibly can to avoid a 2-0 series hole, which includes an extended workload for their star players.
Kyrie has played at least 39 minutes 4 times already during the postseason and attempted at least 18 shots in each of those games. He should have every chance to flirt with 25 points tonight.
- PICK: Irving OVER 23.5 Points (-130), DraftKings
Jalen Williams Over/Under 5.5 Rebounds
Williams has yet to post a game with fewer than 5 rebounds during the playoffs, but his increased production on the glass appears to be a little out of left field. During the regular season, Williams averaged only 4 rebounds per game, including 3.8 rebounds per game in April and 3.6 rebounds per game in March.
More minutes are certainly a factor playing into his increase in rebounds, but it’s also likely that a first-round matchup against the injury-plagued Pelicans played a role. It’s likely we see him regress in this department during the second round against Dallas.
- PICK: Williams UNDER 5.5 Rebounds (-150), BetMGM
Check out more DFS sites with fantasy basketball pick’em like Betr Picks.
NBA Playoffs 2024 Results – Wager Type
Points: 19-20-1
Rebounds: 4-2
Assists: 11-4
Points + Rebounds: 0-1
Three-Pointers Made: 0-1
Combined Playoff Record: 34-28-1 (57.4%)
Image Credit: Getty Images