The Tuesday night NBA Playoff slate features three Game 2s. All of the road teams will try to make up ground and bring the series to a tie before the travel break, while the home teams try to extend their leads to 2-0.
Home teams are currently undefeated in the playoffs so far. I've also noticed with these three particular games — Suns vs. Wolves, Pacers vs. Bucks and Mavericks vs. Clippers — that the totals have been dropping.
Factoring in why scoring projections are moving is very important to capping player props. This will impact where we try to target players on Tuesday.
Let's dive into my top NBA player prop picks tonight, which are worth playing for one unit.
NBA Player Prop Picks Tonight
| Time (ET) | Player Prop |
|---|---|
| 7:30 p.m. | |
| 8:30 p.m. | |
| 10 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. | |
Suns vs. Timberwolves
Kevin Durant
Over 6.5 Rebounds
I played this in Game 1 and on the playoff averages. One tool the Suns will have in the adjustment bin against the Timberwolves is the ability to go very small and space everyone out.
With a lineup featuring Royce O'Neale, Devin Booker, Bradley Beal, Eric Gordon and Kevin Durant, the Suns will try to pull one of Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns off the floor and the other away from the basket.
In Game 1, this adjustment didn't work well for the Suns, who went away from it after four minutes. However, it was a key to their regular-season success against the Wolves. I don't think it'll be removed from the game plan.
KD grabbed seven rebounds in Game 1 and should have even more opportunities in Game 2.
Pick: Kevin Durant Over 6.5 Rebounds (-102)
Pacers vs. Bucks
Pascal Siakam
Over 24.5 Points
This is another prop I played in Game 1, and I'm going right back to the well in Game 2.
The two keys to Pascal Siakam having such a dominant advantage are Giannis Antetokounmpo being out (that much is obvious) and the two centers on each team. When Brook Lopez and Myles Turner match up, they both are used as floor spacers and spend time on the perimeter or in the corner pocket. They also attempt a lot of deep shots.
This leads to Siakam being the focal point around the rim. He'll get easy actions, dump-offs, offensive rebounds and putbacks, and he has fantastic touch in that area.
The odds are not listed as of writing, but I'll also look into ladders with Siakam to be the leading scorer in the game.
Pick: Pascal Siakam Over 24.5 Points (-122)
Mavericks vs. Clippers
Maxi Kleber
Over 4.5 Points
The Mavericks are having frontcourt issues against the Clippers and Ivica Zubac. Daniel Gafford got bullied into foul trouble and showed his playoff inexperience in Game 1, admitting as much in his post-game press conference.
Dereck Lively II, the other Mavericks center, is dealing with personal issues on top of being a 20-year-old rookie who's also in his first postseason with large expectations.
Kleber has been here before. He has made huge shots and big defensive plays. He has been a key to playoff runs with Luka Doncic and head coach Jason Kidd. He's trusted, and he unlocks the small-ball lineup the Mavericks use.
Look for Kleber to get some extended run here. This prop asks him to hit two 3s 0r one 3 and another bucket. He'll have the opportunity to cash on such a low number considering he was already used in a Game 1 adjustment.
Pick: Maxi Kleber Over 4.5 Points (-111)
