The NBA Playoffs resume with an excellent three-game slate on Friday, May 1, and we have you covered with player prop predictions for all three of today's contests.
Our NBA props for Friday target Paolo Banchero, Austin Reaves, and more. Continue below for our top NBA props for today's playoff games.
NBA Props for Friday, May 1
In the table below, you'll find each of Action Network's Ameer Tyree's top player prop picks from today's slate of games. Click on any pick or team logo to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
|---|---|
| 7 p.m. | |
| 7:30 p.m. | |
| 9:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | |
Pistons vs. Magic Prop: Paolo Banchero
Paolo Banchero
Over 23.5 Points
The Detroit Pistons need one more win to force a Game 7 in their round-one playoff series against the Orlando Magic, and they'll try to get it on the road on Friday. The two biggest stars in this series could be destined for another high-level shootout.
Cade Cunningham and Paolo Banchero put their teams on their backs in Game 5 and scored 45 points apiece. Both players shot 54.0% or better from the field, but Cunningham got more help from his fellow starters in the Pistons' win.
Franz Wagner has already been ruled out for Game 6, so Banchero will likely have to take on an extremely heavy workload again. Desmond Bane, Jalen Suggs, and Antony Black are all shooting less than 40.0% from the field against the league's third-ranked scoring defense.
No Magic player wants to head to Detroit for Game 7, so Banchero's shot volume will likely be sky high on Friday. He put up a series-high 31 shots his last time out and has attempted at least 11 free throws in three consecutive contests.
The books are underestimating the former Duke Blue Devil.
Pick: Paolo Banchero Over 23.5 Points (-110)
Cavaliers vs. Raptors Prop: Jakob Poeltl
Jakob Poeltl
Over 13.5 Points + Rebounds
The Cleveland Cavaliers climbed back ahead of the Toronto Raptors with a Game 5 win, securing a 3-2 lead, and the underdogs' outlook is worrisome.
Brandon Ingram logged just 11 minutes his last time out due to some heel inflammation, and Scottie Barnes is dealing with a fresh leg injury. Both versatile swingmen are crucial to Toronto's rebounding efforts, so someone else could have to step up if they're hindered on Friday.
Collin Murray-Boyles has been Toronto's most effective big man so far, but Jakob Poeltl is still starting at center. The 30-year-old Austrian is averaging 10.7 points and 7.0 rebounds on 68.4% shooting in his previous three playoff outings. That's right on par with his regular-season averages.
The Raptors need length to compete with Cleveland's twin towers. Poeltl has the best positional size to do that and has been consistent as of late.
Pick: Jakob Poeltl Over 13.5 Points + Rebounds (-130)
Lakers vs. Rockets Prop: Austin Reaves
Austin Reaves
Over 23.5 Points
Friday's final game will be between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. LeBron James and company are looking to fend off a three-game losing streak and avoid a Game 7 after winning Games 1 through 3. Austin Reaves will likely have to shake off some rust in his second game back to help the visitors come out on top.
Reaves tallied 22 points in 34 minutes off the bench in Game 5, but shot an abysmal 4-for-16 from the field. However, he remains one of the league's best at drawing fouls and sank 12 of his 13 attempts at the charity stripe. That speaks to how aggressive he was in his first appearance in nearly a month.
Luka Doncic is still battling back from a hamstring injury, and Reaves was comfortable the top option on offense when the former Dallas Mavericks star couldn't suit up during the regular season. Reaves averaged a team-high 28.6 points through 10 regular-season outings without Doncic, while shooting 16.3 field goals and 11.1 free throws per outing.
Reaves has a good chance to return to the starting lineup in such a critical game, and that change will help him get the ball rolling early. Take Reaves' over if you think he'll shoot better than 25.0% from the field this time around.
