If you're a fan of basketball, the NBA Finals is the only thing you care about on Thursday night. And if you really love the NBA, then you'll want to get in on the action on PrizePicks for Game 1.
A quick refresher if you aren’t familiar with PrizePicks: You can combine up to five different player squares to pay out up to 10x your entry.
You can do a Flex Play or a Power Play. A Flex Play gives you lesser odds, but you can win money if you do not nail every pick. A Power Play is all-or-nothing.
Here’s how I would approach today’s NBA Playoffs slate.
What is PrizePicks? A daily fantasy operator — meaning they’re available in more states (30) than sports betting is! — PrizePicks offers a unique opportunity for action on player squares in which you parlay two or more plays together.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope More Than 4.5 3-Point Attempts
Thus far this postseason, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope is averaging 11.7 points per game and shooting 41.1% from beyond the arc for the Nuggets. Caldwell-Pope has been a beneficiary of open 3-point attempts with the attention that Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray command on offense. For that reason, I expect Caldwell-Pope to have at least five 3-point attempts in Game 1.
Over the past five games, Caldwell-Pope is averaging 6.4 3-point attempts per game and has topped this projection in all five of those games. During the postseason, the Heat are allowing the fourth-most 3-point attempts per game to their opponents. Furthermore, over the last seven games, the Heat have allowed 38.3 attempts per game.
If the Heat's defensive focus is going to be centered on Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray (which it should), Caldwell-Pope should be able to get the same open looks and attempts as he did in the Western Conference Finals. I love Caldwell-Pope to get more than this projection in Game 1.
Bruce Brown More Than 0.5 Offensive Rebounds
Bruce Brown has been outstanding in his role for the Nuggets this postseason. One of the most underrated parts of Brown’s game is his ability to get offensive putbacks and crash the glass for second-chance opportunities. I love Brown to get at least one offensive rebound in Game 1.
Despite only averaging 3.9 rebounds per game in the postseason, Brown has at least one offensive rebound six out of the last seven postseason games for the Nuggets. Brown has been pivotal off the bench for the Nuggets while averaging 26.4 minutes per game.
Additionally, one area of concern for the Heat has been rebounding the basketball. Thus far this postseason, the Heat are allowing their opponents to average 10.8 offensive rebounds per game. It’s simple here: I am asking Brown to grab one offensive rebound for himself. I believe that in a game with high 3-point shooting volume and fast pace, Brown should make it four straight games with an offensive rebound.
