Play-in tournament action for the 2024 NBA postseason begins Tuesday with the Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans participating in the first game. The winner of this contest will meet the defending champions Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. The Lakers beat the Pelicans on the final day of the regular season to set up this rematch. LA has won three of the four head-to-head meetings between the teams this season.
Here’s a look at some of our favorite player props for this play-in tournament contest, with odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
LeBron James over 43.5 points + rebounds + assists (-125)
In the history of the play-in tournament, the Lakers have advanced out of this game twice. Both times, James has put up big numbers to get the job done. He doesn’t want to enter that “win or go home” scenario for Friday, so the stakes are high. And James has delivered against the Pelicans. He’s averaging 28.3 points, 11.8 assists and 6.3 rebounds per game against New Orleans this season after going for 28 points, 17 assists and 11 boards Sunday. I think James shatters this PRA number Tuesday evening.
CJ McCollum 5+ 3-pointers (+120)
The official line is 3.5 (over -155, under +130) but you can get more value on this alternate offering. McCollum has been absolutely lighting it up from deep of late, shooting 48.1% over the last 10 games. The Pelicans guard might take a backseat in this offense if Brandon Ingram gets more minutes, but should continue firing from the perimeter. He’s hit this mark five times in the last 10 and is shooting 42.4% from deep against the Lakers this season. I think McCollum stays hot and cashes on this prop.
Anthony Davis over 12.5 rebounds (-148)
The real question is whether Davis will get enough minutes to go over this mark. The big man left late in Sunday’s game due to back spasms but is expected to play tonight. Davis has gone over this line seven times in the last 10 games and as long as this contest stays close, the boards will be there. In four games against New Orleans this season, Davis is averaging 10.5 rebounds per game. If we account for some instances where he didn’t get as many minutes as expected, he would likely be going over this mark easily. I think he has a dominant outing.
Zion Williamson under 5.5 assists (+120)
The Pelicans star did log eight assists in Sunday’s game but is unlikely to have the same approach after seeing the final result. Williamson is at his best when he’s aggressive as a scorer, which will take away from his assist numbers. The power forward has gone under this line six times in the past 10 games and is 2-2 on this line against the Lakers this season. I think Williamson looks to be more of a scorer tonight, which should push his assist number under this mark.