The NBA Playoffs have been absolutely incredible thus far, and we’re working 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 3rd. Also, make sure you check out the picks page (linked right below) before games tip off. I occasionally add picks throughout the day.
MORE: Check out our Pro Picks page for everything our experts have on May 3rd
NBA Best Bets Today – May 3
Game 7: Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets – 7:30 pm ET
If you’ve been reading my NBA content for the last couple of weeks, you probably know that I already have quite a bit invested in the winner of this game. I have the Clippers to win the series (+120), plus I also have Los Angeles to win the Western Conference (17-1) and the NBA Finals (50-1). With that in mind, I’m not looking to add anything on the Clippers in Game 7. I’m also not going to take the Nuggets. This feels like a genuine toss-up game given everything we’ve seen in the series.
What I am going to take is the Under in this game. Of course, 207.5 is a very low number in today’s NBA. However, three of the games in this series have featured the teams combining to score 207 or fewer. The Under is also 4-2 in the six games we have seen in this series. On top of that, the urgency of this game will likely lead to slower tempo from both teams, as well as better defense from the opening tip. In addition to that, the nerves of a Game 7 will make things harder on everybody to make shots.
These teams have already been playing slow enough in this series, as they’re averaging 91.25 possessions since the start of it. The Magic were the NBA’s slowest regular-season team and their pace was 96.51. That should do a good job of illustrating just how much of a slog this thing has been.
Pick: Under 207.5 (-107)
NBA Player Props Today – May 3
Game 7: Los Angeles Clippers at Denver Nuggets – 7:30 pm ET
I’m taking a shot on Nicolas Batum to have at least three combined steals and blocks (stocks) in Game 7. Batum has played at least 27 minutes in two of the six games in this series, and he’s averaging 4.0 steals and blocks per game in those contests. Well, Batum’s defensive versatility, combined with his ability to shoot the 3 and make good decisions with the basketball, should earn him some good playing time in this one. Ty Lue played Batum 34 minutes in a do-or-die Game 6, opting to play him more than Kris Dunn. I don’t see that changing heading into the series’ final game, and I also don’t see Batum failing to make a defensive impact. While Batum is 36 years old, he’s still averaging 2.3 combined steals and blocks per 36 minutes. That’s right in the ballpark of what we’ll need tonight, and we’re going to get more effort and intensity given the stakes.
Bet: Batum Over 2.5 Steals + Blocks (+128)
Additional Plays
This is where I’ll include any late added plays, teasers/parlays or in-season futures. Come back before tip if you don’t want to miss anything. It’s always possible I’ll add something to my card.
________________________________________________
2024-25 NBA Record: 395-393-2 (+6.72 units)
