Thursday’s three NBA playoff games all have win-or-go-home implications. Three teams look to force a Game 7 on their home floors, while their opponents look to end the series. All three matchups are essentially toss-ups, with spreads no larger than 2 points on DraftKings and FanDuel. Sportsbooks are offering player prop bets to go along with their game lines, and below are a few we recommend considering.
76ers vs. Raptors Game 6 (PHI leads 3-2)
Pascal Siakam (23 points) and the Toronto Raptors put the clamps on Joel Embiid (20 points) and the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 5. The Raptors are two games away from pulling off an unprecedented 3-0 comeback, as teams down 3-0 are 0-144 in the series in NBA history. Next stop for Toronto (+105 moneyline) is Game 6 on their home court, in which they are a 1.5-point dog against Philly (-125).
Also read: Bucks vs. Celtics odds | Odds to win NBA Championship
76ers vs. Raptors Game 6 Player Props
James Harden ‘Under’ 36.5 Points, Rebounds, & Assists (-120, DraftKings)
James Harden hasn’t been able to get it going as a rebounder and scorer against Toronto. He has gone under 36.5 combined points, rebounds, and assists in four of five contests. He was also held under 36.5 in two of three regular-season games against the Raptors.
The Philly guard has yet to pop off as a scorer, with the most being just 22 points both in Games 1 and 4. He failed to hit 20 points in three games.
Harden also has stepped away from rebounding in this series, hauling in just 4.8 boards per game, with the most being six on two different occasions. He now ranks fourth on the team in rebounding, behind Embiid (11.6), Tobias Harris (9.2), and Tyrese Maxey (5.0).
Harden is averaging 18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists (32.4 combined) versus Toronto, which all fall below his 2022 regular-season averages. We wouldn’t bet on him to suddenly break out in Game 6.
Tobias Harris ‘Yes’ Double-Double (+290, DraftKings)
Tobias Harris understands the importance of rebounding, especially when the playoffs roll around. He has upped his rebound average from 6.8 in the regular season to 9.2 in these playoffs.
Harris has recorded a double-double in 13 of 37 career playoff games (35.1%). He has three double-doubles in this series alone.
Suns vs. Pelicans Game 6 (PHX leads 3-2)
Phoenix’s Mikal Bridges was the star of the show in Game 5 between the Suns and the New Orleans Pelicans. The two-way small forward scored 31 points on 70.6% shooting, including 4-for-4 from beyond the arc, while somehow having enough energy to swat four shots, all in a 47-minute effort.
The Suns lead the series 3-2 as they now visit New Orleans at -135 to win Game 6. The Pelicans (+115) will try to defend their home court and move the series back to Phoenix for a Game 7.
Suns vs. Pelicans Game 6 Player Props
Jonas Valanciunas ‘Under’ 0.5 Threes (-205, DraftKings)
Jonas Valanciunas has impressed NBA observers as a rebounder in this series, averaging a league-best 15.6 rebounds. Spending almost all of your time near the basket will surely bring you more rebounds than usual, but it will also take you away from the three-point line and consequently make you shoot and make fewer threes, which is exactly what has happened to Valanciunas.
He has taken five three-pointers and made just one in the entire series. With that kind of volume, he’ll be lucky to make one in Game 6.
Mavs vs. Jazz Game 6 (DAL leads 3-2)
Luka Doncic had 33 points and 13 rebounds as the Dallas Mavericks held the Utah Jazz to a season-low 77 points in Game 5. Donovan Mitchell scored nine points and missed all seven of his three-point attempts before exiting the game with a quad injury. With the Jazz down 3-2 in the series, the team can’t afford to have Mitchell be less than 100% healthy. Game 6 is priced as virtual coin flip.
Mavs vs. Jazz Game 6 Player Props
Jalen Brunson ‘Over’ 20.5 Points (-110, DraftKings)
When Luka Doncic missed the first three games of the series with a calf strain, Dallas needed someone to step up, and Jalen Brunson answered the call. He averaged 32 points per game (fewest was 24 in Game 1) and led the Mavs to a 2-1 series lead.
With Doncic back in the lineup the past two games, Brunson still scored 23 points and 24 points in Games 4 and 5, respectively. He has put up a minimum of 23 points in all five games. Brunson is entering Game 6 the hottest he’s ever been as a scorer, so hitting the ‘over’ should be light work for him.
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