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The NBA Playoffs continue on into the second round and Saturday, September 4 brings us a huge doubleheader. The Miami Heat look to extend their 2-0 series lead on the Milwaukee Bucks when the game tips at 6:30 p.m. ET. That’s followed by the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets squaring off in Game 1 of their series, with tip set for 9 p.m.
DraftKings Sportsbook is getting together a group of media insiders to offer up their predictions for the contest. Most notably, former NBA star Carlos Boozer will be taking part. Once we have his lock pick, we’ll drop it down below.
Here the ten prop bets insiders will be picking for the Saturday doubleheader.
- Bucks vs. Heat: Game winner
- Rockets vs. Lakers: Game winner
- Jimmy Butler points: Over/Under 24.5
- Giannis Antetokounmpo points: Over/Under 28.5
- James Harden points: Over/Under 29.5
- LeBron James points: Over/Under 27.5
- Who will have the most assists on 9/4: James Harden, Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, Khris Middleton, Any other player, Two or more players to Tie
- Who will have the most rebounds on 9/4: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, LeBron James, Any other player, Two or more players to Tie
- Will LeBron James record a triple-double: Yes/No
- Which team will score the most points on 9/4: Milwaukee Bucks, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers.
Each media member made picks, and below is their lock pick for Saturday. We’ll update as new picks come
DraftKings Sportsbook has numerous media members offering up their predictions for opening night based on these prop bets. Each member provided their best bet, and naturally much of the focus is on Zion.
I went with Zion not having more rebounds than The Brow. AD’s status is in question due to an eye injury, but he practiced in full on Wednesday, according to beat writer Tania Ganguli, and appears to be on track to play. AD’s rebound totals have come down with LeBron, but if he plays, AD is still a better option on the glass than Zion.
Here is a look at media best bets.
2020 NBA Playoffs media pool
| Outlet | First Name | Last Name | Lock Pick | Rationale | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outlet | First Name | Last Name | Lock Pick | Rationale | |
| Gaming Today | Lou | Monaco | @loumonaco | TBA | TBA |
| TheLines | Chris | Sheridan | @sheridanhoops | N/A | LeBron James had had three triple-doubles in five playoff games, so I like him getting a fourth going up against a tired opponent that will have its hands full trying to defend Anthony Davis down low. LeBron might have 10 assists just to Davis alone. |
| Basketball Insiders | Tommy | Beer | @TommyBeer | Bucks winning Game 3 | A desperate team with the MVP and DPOY has too much pride to fall into an insurmountable 0-3 hole... |
| Sports Bet Magazine | Michael | McCabe | TBA | TBA | |
| VSiN | Kelley | Bydlon | @KelleyVSiN | James Harden Over 29.5 | After a game where James Harden’s defense was the story, I expect his offensive game to bounce back in game one against the Lakers and their poor perimeter defense. He has also only gone under 30 points in three of his last nine games and the Rockets will likely need every point he can provide own Friday and in the series |
| Forbes SportsMoney | Matt | Rybaltowski | @mattrybaltowski | Most Rebounds: Anthony Davis | Expect Davis to clean up on the boards against the Rockets' small-ball lineup. Davis figures to draw a defensive matchup consisting of P.J. Tucker, Robert Covington and Jeff Green, or some combination of the three. None of the forwards conjure images of Dennis Rodman on the offensive glass. Davis averaged 12.5 RPG in two matchups vs. Houston this season. Giannis could give Davis a run for his money, but he needs to focus more on scoring with the Bucks down 0-2. |
| CBS Sports Radio | Mike | Bisceglia | @MikeDeliversPod | TBA | TBA |
| Rotowire Fantasy Basketball Podcast | Nick | Whalen | @wha1en | Jimmy Butler UNDER 24.5 points | Thus far in the playoffs, it's been feast or famine for Butler, from a scoring perspective. Through six games, he has three games with at least 27 points -- including a 40-point outburst in Game 1 against Milwaukee -- and three games with 18 or fewer points. Milwaukee held Butler to just eight field goal attempts in Game 2, and while I think he'll be more aggressive Friday, I see him settling in somewhere in the high-teens to low-20s. In his only regular-season matchup against the Bucks, Butler had 18 points on 14 shots. |
| Fantasy NBA Today | Dan | Besbris | @danbesbris | Giannis Antetokounmpo to lead that field in rebounding | Giannis Antetokounmpo to lead that field in rebounding. My second choice would be LeBron to NOT have a triple double, but if the Rockets are giving up a ton to the Lakers bigs, that could fuel LeBron. Thus, we'll go with the more sure thing, and that's that the Bucks are going to box out so Giannis can get the board and push the ball. Milwaukee's transition offense is their best weapon when Miami's half court defense has taken them completely out of their game, and a Giannis rebound serves multiple purposes. Bam, LeBron and AD (the other key players on this list) will be splitting rebounds with teammates in some capacity, where the Bucks are funneling theirs to their star. Thanks for reading! |
| Inside Hoops | Jeff | Lenchiner | @InsideHoops | TBA | TBA |
| (TBC) | Davis | Mattek | @DavisMattek | TBA | TBA |
| NBA Radio | William | Dowling | TBA | TBA | |
| (TBC) | Brant | James | @brantjames | TBA | TBA |
| Pushing the Odds - Sports Map Radio | Matt | Perrault | @sportstalkmatt | Lakers with the most points | The Lakers are going to be able use their length and size to stop the Rockets from running and close out on their 3-point shooters. On the other end, the Rockets can’t stop the Lakers from getting to the rim. I expect a lay-up line for LA in game 1. |
| Associated Press | Jimmy | Golen | @jgolen | TBA | TBA |
| PlayUSA | Grant | Lucas | @GrantDLucas | James Harden OVER 29.5 points | The Lakers have one of the best defenses in the league, but Harden gets and shoots his shots. A lot. Like. A lot a lot. So this is banking on him bouncing back from his worst playoff scoring performance in 33 games. In five of the seven first-round games, Harden finished with 30 or more, a trend that extends to nine of 14 games in the bubble. He'll be more aggressive in Game 1 and do what Harden does that infuriates most of the league and fans: draw fouls and get to the line, which he has done more than any other player in the league. |
| Legal Sports Betting | Hasan | Nabulsi | TBA | TBA | |
| FOX Sports The Gambler - Philadelphia | Sean | Brace | @Sean_Brace | TBA | TBA |