The playoff pressure goes up another notch tonight as we reach Game 3 in three physical series, headlined by the late tip between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers.
The Orlando Magic and Milwaukee Bucks return home trying to dig their way out of 0-2 holes, but depth and scoring punch are not in their favor and offseason speculation is already bubbling for both teams.
The NBA player prop markets offers plenty of choice, and I’m looking beyond the big-name options for value elsewhere with my Top 3 NBA picks for the April 25 slate.
Best NBA player props today
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White o21.5 P+A (-115) -
Nembhard o3.5 rebs (-105) -
Finney-Smith o10.5 P+R (-115)
NBA player props for April 25
Derrick White Over 21.5 points + assists (-115 at bet365)
If in doubt, trust in Derrick White. The ever-reliable Boston Celtics guard rarely seems to miss a beat and, though Jaylen Brown took center stage in Game 2 against the Orlando Magic with a 36-point explosion, White was his usual steady self with 17 points and five assists.
I’m taking the Over on this White combo prop for Game 3. As is often the case, he’s capable of nailing this pick in points alone. He torched the Magic for 30 points in Game 1, and he’s recorded 17+ points in four of his last five outings while making 3+ triples in six straight games.
White’s assist tallies are bankable too. He’s dished 5+ dimes in 10 of his last 12 contests, and his playmaking duties will increase if Boston is again without Jayson Tatum, who’s doubtful with a wrist bruise.
The Celtics can take a stranglehold on the series tonight, and I’m wagering on White to put Orlando under his spell at Kia Center.
Andrew Nembhard Over 3.5 rebounds (-105 at bet365)
The Indiana Pacers have embraced the chippiness of a proper old-school rivalry with the Milwaukee Bucks, and Andrew Nembhard has played his part in driving Indy into a 2-0 series lead.
The Pacers were +10 in Nembhard’s 34 minutes in Game 2, on the heels of a +23 in Game 1, and I like the Over on his rebounds prop tonight at Fiserv Forum.
The Canadian isn’t afraid to mix it up in the paint, and he’s pulled down 4+ boards in eight of his past 12 outings. He also flashed that side of his game during last year’s playoff run, logging 4+ boards in eight of Indiana’s contests en route to an Eastern Conference Finals exit.
Milwaukee is leaning into smaller lineups — Brook Lopez only saw 16 minutes on Tuesday night — and the Pacers’ top rebounders are focused on crowding Giannis Antetokounmpo. That leaves Nembhard and Tyrese Haliburton with more responsibilities for cleaning the glass.
Dorian Finney-Smith Over 10.5 points + rebounds (-115 at bet365)
The Los Angeles Lakers will go small wherever possible, and Dorian Finney-Smith essentially becomes a fifth starter in those situations. He came off the bench in Game 2 but logged 38 minutes.
While the L.A. offense revolves around Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, there’s still room for Finney-Smith to impact the box score, and he’s shooting 40% from 3-point range as a Laker. His production on Tuesday doesn’t jump off the screen — seven points, five rebounds — but that would be enough to hit this Over.
Offensively, the open looks will continue to be there, with the Minnesota Timberwolves devoting so much energy to harassing the visitors’ “Big Three.” On the other end of the floor, he’s part of the solution for keeping Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid, and Julius Randle off the boards.
Finney-Smith has cashed the Over on this 10.5 combo O/U line in three of his last four games and in 10 of his past 15 contests, and he earned Luka’s trust during their time together in Dallas. With his career postseason averages of 10.2 PPG and 5.5 RPG, I’m looking for something similar tonight.
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NBA odds today
Here are the full NBA odds for all of today’s matchups.
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