Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals tips off Thursday in the Bay Area. The defending NBA champions look to bounce back in Game 2 and even up the series. Below are two PrizePicks I'm targeting for Lakers vs. Warriors.
A quick refresher if you aren’t familiar with PrizePicks: you can combine up to five different player squares to payout 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 even if you don't nail every pick. A Power Play is all-or-nothing.
Here’s how I would approach Thursday’s slate in NBA Playoffs.
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.
Jarred Vanderbilt More Than 1.5 Steals + Blocks
The Lakers supporting role players have stepped up in a big way — both on offense and defense — thus far in the postseason. Jarred Vanderbilt has been filling up the defensive stats for the Lakers, who pride themselves on the defensive end. We saw in Darvin Ham's introductory press conference that defense was the number one priority.
Thus far in the postseason, the Lakers are No. 1 in defensive efficiency. Vanderbilt is averaging 1.6 blocks and 1.0 steals per game and recorded two blocks and two steals against the Warriors in Game 1. In fact, Vanderbilt has gone over this projection of 1.5 combined steals and blocks in four of the past five playoff games.
Vanderbilt uses his length and size well on the defensive end and is able to get hands in the passing lanes and block shots. Despite only averaging 20.7 minutes per game in the playoffs, Vanderbilt has been effective on the defensive end. I’ll take over for Vanderbilt to tally more than 1.5 total steals and blocks.
Stephen Curry More Than 5 3-Pointers
It's no secret that Stephen Curry is having a fantastic postseason and the Warriors have needed every bit of it. Curry scored a record 50 points in Game 7 against the Kings in Round 1 and has shot it well from beyond the 3-point line (38.8%). Furthermore, Curry is getting 3-point volume.
In fact, over the past five games, Curry is averaging close to 13 3-point attempts. Curry has made at least five 3's in four of the past five games. In Game 1 against the Lakers, the Warriors attempted 53 3's, 13 of which came from Curry. The Lakers having the best defensive efficiency rating of teams left in the playoffs, but did rank 10th in opponent 3-point makes allowed and are allowing the second-most attempts. I expect the Warriors, led by Curry, to bounce back in a big way in Game 2.
