The 2023-24 NBA regular season is over and we have turned the page to the NBA Playoffs. Throughout the postseason, Jonathan Von Tobel will continue to provide you with his exceptional coverage of the greatest league in the world. Just click here for all of his content. However, all of my picks will be featured in this daily column, which will combine my NBA best bets and NBA player props. So, keep reading to find out how I’m playing the playoff games on Friday, May 3rd. Also, check out our NBA Playoffs Betting Hub for all of our series previews and additional postseason content.
We also put together an NBA Playoffs Betting Primer with in-depth analysis for everything you’ll see the next couple of weeks.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on May 3
NBA Best Bets Today – May 3
Los Angeles Clippers at Dallas Mavericks – 9:30 pm ET
These teams have gone Over in each of the last two games in this series, and that really doesn’t feel like a coincidence. With Kawhi Leonard out for Los Angeles, the Clippers are opening things up and playing at a faster pace. And that also means getting more shots up from behind the 3-point line. It absolutely didn’t work for Los Angeles in Game 5, with the team losing by 30 at home. But it’s really the only play the Clippers have with Kawhi Leonard sidelined with a knee injury. And that injury also impacts the other end of the floor. Leonard is still one of the game’s best wing defenders, so losing him in a series against Luka Doncic is an absolute killer.
Overall, I just don’t think there’s much preventing Dallas from putting up a big number offensively tonight. That just means that Los Angeles will need to show up, so hopefully James Harden and Paul George are ready to make some shots. But the Clippers scored 109 points in Game 1 and 116 points in Game 4. They have proven that they can play their part for Over bettors without Leonard, and I trust them to do it tonight. Ty Lue is one of the best head coaches in the league, so he’ll have his guys ready to compete tonight. And home-court advantage oddly doesn’t seem to impact these teams when they play one another.
Bet: Over 207.5 (-110 – 1.5 units)
NBA Player Props Today – May 3
Cleveland Cavaliers at Orlando Magic – 7:00 pm ET
Jalen Suggs is averaging 4.2 rebounds per game in this series, and he has had at least four boards in four of the five games they have played. With that in mind, I like Suggs to hit the four-rebound mark again. The Magic will be playing with their backs against the wall in Game 6, as they’re down 3-2 in this series. So, you can expect an inspired effort from Orlando here. And Suggs is the heart and soul of this basketball team. So, I’m expecting him to set the tone for the Magic in this game, and I would be surprised if he doesn’t pitch in a little on the boards. Suggs is also averaging 7.8 rebound chances per game in this series. That’s a pretty decent number and there’s no reason he shouldn’t come down with some.
Bet: Suggs Over 3.5 Rebounds (-122 – 1.5 units)
Added Plays
Orlando Magic ML (-170 – 2 units) vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
2023-24 Record: 348-375-3 (-8.93 units)
