It’s a pressure-filled Friday night in the NBA Playoffs.
At Orlando and Milwaukee, you’ve got the Magic and Bucks doing their last stand bits, down 2-0 with an all-important home game to try and get back into the series.
Over in Minnesota, the Lakers and T-Wolves are squared up at a game apiece, with someone trying to get a leg up in Minneapolis.
That sets the table for the NBA player props we are targeting. See below for our best picks.
NBA Player Prop Picks for April 19
Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points vs Magic (-110 at Bet365)
With Jayson Tatum likely sitting out again with a right wrist bruise, the rest of the Celtics’ lineup is going to have to absorb that 27+ points per game.
It’s quite the luxury that Joe Mazzulla can throw out reserve Payton Pritchard and feel no drop off in the flow of the offense.
Pritchard has topped his 13.5 scoring line in both games in Boston, and he’s scored at least 14 points in six of his last seven games.
The Magic’s defense is forcing Boston to move the ball to seek out shots, which is what the Celtics want to do anyway.
There should be enough good looks for Pritchard to contribute at a high level in Game 3.
Giannis Antetokounmpo Over 32.5 points vs Pacers (-115 at Bet365)
Look, if the Bucks are going to go down, Giannis Antetokounmpo is not going out without blistering the scoreboard.
Giannis is already averaging 35 points per game in this series on an absurd 65% shooting from the field, to go along with averages of 15 rebounds and four assists.
He’s got an absurdly high line of 32.5, but he’s been playing at this level for months.
Giannis has topped this total five times in his last eight outings, while hitting the 30-point plateau in 10 of his last 12 games.
You know he’s going to show up, and that’s enough for the betting win. For them to get back into this series? At least a couple of teammates will have to help in that department.
LeBron James Under 1.5 3-point makes (+120 at Bet365)
Let’s wrap with veteran LeBron James, who put together one of his most meaningful playoff performances in Game 2, helping the Lakers even up the series.
He’s no longer the offensive hub – that’s Luka Doncic territory – but LBJ has been a major filler of all gaps the Lakers need to be successful. His defense (especially in the interior) has been vital, as has his rebounding.
Offensively, James is doing most of his damage inside the arc, as he’s shooting just 2-for-10 from distance in the series.
I think that continues in Game 3, as James needs to be that balancing scoring force inside, letting Luka have his space on the perimeter.
James has also not been a prolific 3-point shooter against the T-Wolves: including these first two games of the series, he’s now hit two or more triples vs Minny just twice in the last 10 games.
