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 Saturday, May 9. 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.
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Game 3: Detroit Pistons at Cleveland Cavaliers – 3:00 pm ET
Pistons lead series 2-0
Cleveland should be able to get in the win column at home. This is a team that won all four of its games at Rocket Arena in the opening round, and playing in that building should give the Cavaliers some confidence — while taking away some from the Pistons. Cleveland should also up the toughness and physicality in Game 3, as this team is playing for its season on Saturday. However, I don’t quite trust the Cavaliers to cover the number. Even in must-win spots in the first round, Cleveland struggled to separate. So, as you’ll see towards the bottom of this article, I parlayed the Cavaliers and Thunder on the moneyline. Grabbing OKC, a team that has proven to be much, much better than Los Angeles, gets me a strong price on Cleveland to win this one outright. Also, if the Cavaliers handle their business early, you can even grab the points with the Lakers and look for a middle.
I’m also playing some player props in this game. One of them calls for James Harden to score at least four points in the first quarter. In the series against Toronto last round, Harden averaged 9.0 points per game in the opening 12 minutes. He’s a little more comfortable playing at home, so he’s quicker to come out playing with some aggression. Also, with Harden having been slandered after his Game 2 performance, he should be eager to play a stronger game here.
Another prop I’m playing calls for Dean Wade to finish with at least nine combined points and rebounds. Wade has gone Over 8.5 PR in six of the last seven games, and he had 13 in the Game 2 loss in Detroit. Wade will likely need to knock down an open jumper or two in order to actually go Over this mark, but he’s also capable of scoring a bucket or two at the basket. On top of that, he’s going to do his best to chip in on the glass. He has actually had 19 rebound chances through two games in this series. He’s just a competent player that will get minutes because of what he can do on the defensive end. And if he’s out there for 20 to 25 minutes, he should be able to contribute more than just cardio.
Bet: Harden Over 3.5 First Quarter Points (-130)
Bet: Wade Over 8.5 Points + Rebounds (-110)
Game 3: Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers – 8:30 pm ET
Thunder lead series 2-0
It’s hard to play a side or total in this Game 3. Would it shock me if Los Angeles finds a way to keep this game close? Absolutely not. For six of the eight quarters we have seen in this series, this Lakers team has been competitive with the defending champions. However, the little flurries we see from Oklahoma City make it very hard to envision a scenario in which the Thunder actually lose a game. That’s why I played OKC to win outright in the parlay with Cleveland, but I wouldn’t be willing to lay the 8.5 points.
I do, however, have a small Isaiah Hartenstein ladder in Game 3. The Thunder center had nine rebounds on 18 rebound chances in Game 1, then he had nine rebounds on 12 rebound chances in Game 2. Hartenstein has just done a good job of controlling the glass in this series, which isn’t surprising considering he’s strong on the boards and has a nonstop motor. You simply can’t say the same about Deandre Ayton. That said, I’m going to Hartenstein to have another nine rebounds, but I’m not stopping there. I wouldn’t rule out the possibility of Hartenstein having double-digit boards here, which he did twice against Phoenix last round. He also had a 12-rebound game in the desert, which doesn’t necessarily seem like a fluke. The going gets tough on the road, but energy travels. Hartenstein has plenty of energy.
I’m also going to take a flier on Jared McCain to stay hot from behind three-point range. McCain has knocked down four triples in both of the games in this series. I’m not quite sure he’ll hit another four in Game 3, but I’m willing to sprinkle a little something on him hitting two at +144 odds. The Lakers have just had no answer for McCain’s ability to find soft spots in the defense and take advantage of them.
Bet: Hartenstein Over 8.5 Rebounds (-120 – 1.5 units) & Alt Rebounds 10+ (+128 – 0.5 units) & Alt Rebounds 12+ (+344 – 0.25 units)
Bet: McCain Over 1.5 Made Threes (+144 – 0.5 units)
Additional Plays
PARLAY: Cavaliers ML vs. Pistons G3 & Thunder ML vs. Lakers G3 (-101 – 2 units)
