The 2025-26 NBA Playoffs should deliver some memorable moments, and we’re going to work hard to make them as profitable as possible for all of our VSiN subscribers. So, make sure you head over to the VSiN NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our postseason content. I’ll continue giving out NBA best bets and player props here throughout the playoffs, and I’ll also occasionally write up features on anything big that shakes up the league. So, make sure you check out my work over the next couple of weeks. With that out of the way, let’s get into some NBA best bets and NBA player props for Friday, May 1. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day. That’s also where you’ll get picks from my talented VSiN colleagues.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have!
Game 6: Detroit Pistons at Orlando Magic – 7:00 pm ET
Game 6: Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets – 9:30 pm ET
I mentioned this on Hardwood Handicappers on Thursday, but I like the Magic and Lakers to advance to the next round. I’m not sure the teams will win their respective Game 6s or Game 7s, but I think they’re good enough to move on with two cracks at it. With that in mind, playing the moneyline on both teams the rest of the series is something to consider — especially with some prediction markets having those priced at +160 each. I’ll throw a half-unit on both to win on the moneyline. However, the bigger play I’m making for Friday night is an alternate spread parlay with Orlando +10.5 and Los Angeles +10.5.
It’s just hard to imagine Orlando getting absolutely rocked by Detroit. The Pistons played about as well as they possibly could in Game 5, yet the Magic still found a way to hang around. Well, with this game being played at the Kia Center, I don’t see Orlando going away easily. In fact, I strongly believe this will be a game in which the Magic will have a chance to come away with a win in crunchtime.
It does hurt Orlando that Franz Wagner is out, as his perimeter defense and downhill attacking will be missed. However, the Magic are comfortable rolling the ball out to Paolo Banchero, who has always been better as the unquestioned alpha for this team, and giving Anthony Black some more minutes.
In the other game, the Lakers absolutely need to pick things up. While they have a 3-2 lead in this series, they should be down with the Rockets having been in full control of Game 3 and gifted it to them. Los Angeles’ postseason offensive rating of 107.6 is far too low, and that will need to be figured out very soon. However, Austin Reaves moved extremely well in Game 5, and he was able to give the Lakers 34 minutes in that one. Sure, Reaves was miserable shooting the ball, going 4 for 16 from the floor and 2 for 8 from three. But some of that can be attributed to rust. I expect him to be a little sharper in Game 6, providing LeBron James with enough punch to keep Los Angeles in this game late.
We should also see some meaningful adjustments from JJ Redick. Without Kevin Durant, who is set to miss yet another game with an ankle injury, there’s just not enough perimeter shotmaking on this Houston team. Los Angeles should be able to put forth a strong effort defensively. Well, a good performance on that end of the floor should mean a relatively close game — and possibly even a win.
PARLAY: Magic Alt +10.5 vs. Pistons G6 & Lakers Alt +10.5 vs. Rockets G6 (-125 – 2 units)
Bet: Magic ML (+160 – 0.5 units)
Bet: Lakers ML (+160 – 0.5 units)
Game 6: Cleveland Cavaliers at Toronto Raptors – 7:30 pm ET
This game is difficult to call when looking at spreads or totals. There’s some real uncertainty with the Raptors injury report, as Brandon Ingram is questionable after injuring his heel last game. Scottie Barnes will also be playing banged up in this one. All of that makes me want to come in with a play on Cleveland, but I already have the Cavaliers -1.5 in the series. I also haven’t loved what I have seen from Cleveland in the two games the team has played in Canada. So, instead of forcing anything there, I’m playing some props: RJ Barrett Over 5.5 Rebounds (-120) and Sam Merrill Over 1.5 Made Threes (-115).
Outside of a poor showing on the glass in Game 1, Barrett has been great as a rebounder this series. Since Game 2, the southpaw is averaging 8.5 rebounds per game on 13.3 rebound chances per game. He’s just getting in there and mixing it up, and I can’t see him failing to show up in the effort department in an elimination game.
With Merrill, you never quite know how the minutes are gong to shake out. Cleveland has a very deep group of guards, so Kenny Atkinson has options in the backcourt. However, Merrill has made at least two triples in back-to-back games, and the Cavaliers have played their best basketball in this series with him on the floor. That’s clear when looking at some of the advanced numbers, and I imagine Atkinson knows what’s up. So, I’m playing Merrill to go Over a modest total of 1.5 made threes. The volume isn’t always there with him, but he did take seven triples in Game 4. He then played a series high in minutes in Game 5.
Bet: RJ Barrett Over 5.5 Rebounds (-120)
Bet: Sam Merrill Over 1.5 Made Threes (-115)
Additional Plays
Nothing yet.
