We have three NBA props for this Thursday, and I'm focused on some key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances in Game 6 between the Thunder and Nuggets tonight.
Continue below for my NBA player props for Thursday, May 15.
NBA Player Props for Thursday, May 15
- Isaiah Hartenstein Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-110, Fanatics)
- Jamal Murray 2+ Made Three-Pointers / Cason Wallace 1+ Steal (-115, Fanatics)
- Christian Braun Over 1.5 Made Threes (-125, Fanatics)
Isaiah Hartenstein Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds
Thunder vs. Nuggets, 8:30 p.m. ET
In this series, Isaiah Hartenstein is averaging 11.8 points per game and 9.6 rebounds per game. He has scored at least 10 points in four of the first five games.
In the process, he is shooting 54% from the field and has been particularly effective with his push shot around the basket.
Meanwhile, the Thunder big man has also had at least eight rebounds in four of the first five games. That includes 10 rebounds in Game 3 and 14 rebounds in Game 4.
He is averaging 18.8 rebound chances per game in the series and is collecting about half of them. When Hartenstein is defending Nikola Jokic, that often keeps him around the basket.
While the matchup checks out here, the hit rates match. Hartenstein has recorded 20 points + rebounds in four of the five games in this series as well as in seven of his last eight games against the Nuggets dating back to his time with the Knicks.
He has also cleared this number in seven of his last 10 games and in 67% of his games this season. I expect those trends to continue tonight.
Pick: Isaiah Hartenstein Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-110, Fanatics)
Jamal Murray 2+ Made Threes/Cason Wallace 1+Steal
Thunder vs. Nuggets, 8:30 p.m. ET
In Game 5, I backed Jamal Murray's points and he scored 28 points to easily cover the line. However, it took a lot of work as he shot just 10-for-27 from the field and 3-for-13 from three.
However, he did clear his threes line as well and he has now made threes at least two threes in all five games in the series.
In the playoffs, Murray is shooting 37.8% from three on 6.8 attempts per game. He has made at least two threes in nine of his 12 postseason games.
He also has knocked down two in eight of his last nine games against the Thunder- a hit rate nearly matched by one of the men that will be tasked with defending him.
One of the safer bets in the NBA is Cason Wallace to record at least one steal. The 21-year-old averaged 1.8 steals per game in the regular season and he is at 1.2 per game in the game.
Whether starting or coming off the bench like he has in this series, Wallace has recorded a steal in 85% of his games this season. He has also recorded a steal in eight of nine playoff games this postseason and in eight of his last nine against the Nuggets.
Adding Murray makes Wallace's steal playable odds for this duo.
Pick: Jamal Murray 2+ Threes Made/Cason Wallace 1+ Steal (-115, Fanatics)
Christian Braun Over 1.5 Made Threes
Thunder vs. Nuggets, 8:30 p.m. ET
While I like Murray for at least two threes tonight, I am also looking at Christian Braun to knock down two as well.
Braun has made at least one three in each of his last nine games. He has cleared this line in five of his last seven games, including each of the last three.
While Murray may make a contested three or one that he creates off the dribble, most of the Braun's attempts should be open and he will have to knock them.
He has had at least four three-point attempts in each of his last four seven games and six attempts in each of his last three.
In general, Oklahoma City allowed 39 three-point attempts per game in the regular season and is at about 38 per game in the playoffs.
That means the volume should be there for both Murray and Braun, who may both play 40 minutes tonight.
Braun has made two threes in six of his last against the Thunder. Denver will need him to knock down shots tonight to keep its season alive.
Pick: Christian Braun Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-125, Fanatics)
