In the first of two NBA Playoff games tonight, the New York Knicks look to bounce back after losing Game 1 at home to the Miami Heat. Next, Game 1 between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors tips off from San Francisco in a highly anticipated battle between LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Below are two prop picks I love courtesy of PrizePicks!
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Here’s how I would approach today’s slate in NBA Playoffs slate.
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Gabe Vincent Over 2.5 Made 3-Pointers
Jimmy Butler's status is still unknown after he injured his ankle near the end of Game 1 on Sunday. However, Gabe Vincent has been providing scoring support to Butler and Miami in the playoffs. Vincent has seen an uptick in minutes and production since the Heat lost Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo due to injury against the Bucks. Consequently, Vincent has taken on a more central role in the Heat's rotation and has averaged 21 points and 37 minutes over the last two games.
Vincent has risen to the occasion and isn't afraid of the moment as he has let it fly from beyond the arc. He has attempted at least 12 3-pointers in each of the last two games and connected on at least four in both games. With or without Butler, Vincent will continue to get open looks and take shots for the Heat offense. He has connected on 19 of 45 3s (42%) so far in the playoffs, and with another night logging around 37 minutes, he should have plenty of volume tonight to cash over 2.5 3-pointers made.
LeBron James Rebounds + Assists Over 15.5
In the first round of the NBA Playoffs, LeBron James averaged 22.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists. Since James joined the Lakers, he is averaging 9.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game, and he has exceeded this projection of 15.5 total rebounds and assists in eight of the last 11 games against the Warriors. James remains a matchup nightmare for the Warriors in this series as players like Draymond Green, Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney won't be able to shut him down.
The Lakers did a great job of acquiring 3-point shooters at the trade deadline, and James's willingness to set up the open shooters on the perimeter led to a different Laker leading the team in scoring during each of their first-round games. James has shown an increased willingness to pass the ball in these playoffs as he struggles with his outside shot – shooting under 20% on 3s in the first round. Expect a big game from James as a rebounder and distributor if he wants his team to steal home court and take a 1-0 lead against the reigning champions!
