The NBA playoffs continue on Tuesday, with two semifinals matchups worth tuning in for. Tonight’s action gets started in Cleveland, where the Cavaliers hope to avoid elimination vs. the Pacers. Later, Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets visit the Thunder for a crucial Game 5. With so many can’t-miss contests on tap, there are several bets worth placing on DraftKings Sportsbook. Here are three player props catching my eye.
Darius Garland over 18.5 points (-120)
It’s do-or-die time for the Cavaliers, who suffered a deflating 129-109 loss on Monday. If Cleveland has any hope of extending this series, it’ll take several other names stepping up with Donovan Mitchell injured. Although the shooting guard is considered a game-time decision, it’s difficult to imagine Spida at 100% tonight. Fortunately for the Cavs, Darius Garland is more than capable of running this offense. Despite dealing with a toe ailment, the 25-year-old dropped 21 points in 27 minutes during Game 4.
Garland has done well in this matchup as of late. Over his previous five outings vs. Indiana, the two-time All-Star has averaged 18.2 points in just 28.9 minutes of play. With Cleveland’s season hanging in the balance, head coach Kenny Atkinson will likely leave his starters in longer than usual. That’s ideal for Garland, who can sometimes get lost in the shuffle when Mitchell is on a hot streak. The Cavs should lean on their leading ball handler tonight in what could be another high-octane shootout.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander over 1.5 steals (-115)
At this point, even the most casual NBA fans have an appreciation for just how good Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is. The MVP candidate is a true jack of all trades, capable of filling up a stat sheet in a hurry. This regular season, the Canadian recorded 32.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 51.9% from the field. Those prolific numbers on offense often overshadow SGA’s defensive prowess. The guard was one of just nine players to average at least 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.
Gilgeous-Alexander’s ball-hawking skills have already made a big difference in this series. One of the biggest flaws for the Nuggets is their ball handling; Denver’s 15.1 turnovers per game this postseason is the worst mark of any remaining team. During his last four outings, SGA has notched 2+ steals three different times. The only time the All-Star didn’t reach this mark, OKC kept him on the bench early due to a 40-point victory. Thunder fans should expect a dominant performance on both ends of the floor from their leading man tonight.
Aaron Gordon over 22.5 points + rebounds (-125)
No non-star has had a bigger impact on this postseason than Aaron Gordon. Denver’s do-it-all forward has already produced two different game-winners, most recently nailing a three-pointer in Game 1 vs. OKC. He’s also been a menace on the glass in the playoffs, hauling in 7.5 boards per game. For a Nuggets squad that has difficulty finding production outside of Nikola Jokic, AG has been a true life-saver. In Game 4, the 29-year-old compiled 15 points, 16 rebounds and six assists.
At this point, it’s clear that Denver’s power forward has the ‘clutch gene’; in fact, this entire roster does. In what feels like a must-win for the Nuggets, they’ll need another double-double quality performance on Tuesday. Over his previous seven meetings of 20+ minutes vs. the Thunder, Gordon has logged at least 23 points + rebounds. It helps that Oklahoma City has allowed 54.3 rebounds per game to opponents, the third-worst mark in basketball. Having played 38 or more minutes in all but one game this series, Gordon is poised for another terrific outing tonight.
