May 1st NBA Player Props – Over/Unders & Picks for Celtics vs Bucks, Grizzlies vs Warriors
- The 2022 NBA Conference Semifinals start on Sunday afternoon
- Boston matches up with Milwaukee and Memphis hosts Golden State
- Read below for the latest NBA player props and best bets
The second round of the NBA Playoffs gets underway on Sunday, May 1st. The Boston Celtics host the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 at TD Garden, and the Cs are 4.5-point favorites after sweeping the Nets in the first round.
With just one day off after beating the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Memphis Grizzlies matchup with the Golden State Warriors at 3:30pm ET. The Dubs are two-point favorites.
NBA Player Props – May 1st
| MIL @ BOS | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) | 30.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 13.5 (O +106 | U -130) | 5.5 (O -142 | U +116) | 0.5 (O -220 | U +168) |
| Jrue Holiday (MIL) | 19.5 (O -108 | U -112) | 4.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 6.5 (O -144 | U +118) | 1.5 (O -184 | U +142) |
| Jayson Tatum (BOS) | 30.5 (O -105 | U -120) | 6.5 (O -140 | U +114) | 5.5 (O -124 | U +102) | 3.5 (O -132 | U +108) |
| Jaylen Brown (BOS) | 23.5 (O -116 | U -106) | 5.5 (O -118 | U -108) | 4.5 (O +116 | U -144) | 2.5 (O +106 | U -136) |
| Marcus Smart (BOS | 14.5 (O -104 | U -118) | 3.5 (O -130 | U +106) | 6.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 2.5 (O +112 | U -142) |
| GSW @ MEM | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| Steph Curry (GSW) | 27.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 4.5 (O -122 | U +100) | 6.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 3.5 (O -174 | U +136) |
| Klay Thompson (GSW) | 22.5 (O -106 | U -116) | 3.5 (O -122 | U +100) | OFF | 3.5 (O -140 | U +110) |
| Draymond Green (GSW) | 8.5 (O -102 | U -118) | 7.5 (O -106 | U -114) | 7.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 0.5 (O +106 | U -136) |
| Ja Morant (MEM) | 25.5 (O -118 | U -104) | 7.5 (O +100 | U -122) | 8.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 1.5 (O +114 | U -146) |
| Desmond Bane (MEM) | 19.5 (O -116 | U -106) | 4.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 2.5 (O +104 | U -128) | 3.5 (O -128 | U +100) |
Odds as of May 1 at FanDuel
Milwaukee’s NBA Championship odds have lengthened following the Khris Middleton news. Middleton’s absence puts more pressure on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is tied for the highest points line on Sunday at 30.5.
Giannis The Playmaker
Every team is aiming to make Giannis Antetokounmpo into a playmaker rather than a scorer. Chicago threw bodies at the two-time MVP in the first round, and he exhibited his vision and passing skill. Boston has better one-on-one defenders, but they will still be aiming to force someone else to beat them.
The Greek Freak has shooters aplenty around him. Grayson Allen, Wes Matthews and Pat Connaughton have a big role to play in this series, and Bobby Portis is invaluable as a scorer alongside Antetokounmpo. While Jrue Holiday will run the offense, Antetokounmpo is going to have the ball in his hands a lot, particularly with Khris Middleton ruled out.
Having recorded seven or more assists in three of his last four games, the 5.5 line on Antetokounmpo dimes in Game 1 seems on the low side. He’s got a higher assist rate in this postseason than Luka Doncic, Steph Curry and Trae Young.
Grayson Allen shot 8-of-11 (72.7%) from 3 off passes from Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round.
That connection will be key in round two. pic.twitter.com/VsVycLUfrB
— Dalton Sell (@sell_dalton) April 30, 2022
Boston is going to try a lot of different defenders on Antetokounmpo, but we will still see the occasional double, and even this great defense will collapse when he drives. These odds might be short, yet there’s still value on backing six or more Antetokunmpo dimes in the first game of this series.
- Pick: Giannis Antetokounmpo over 5.5 assists (-142)
Draymond Steps Up For the Dubs
Draymond Green was superb in the first round, making life difficult for Nikola Jokic and orchestrating a phenomenal Warriors offense. Green is spoilt for choice as a playmaker with Jordan Poole, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson flying around the court.
Poole’s emergence as a legitimate star and Curry’s return to the starting five has seen Green play center from first tip. He was always going to play the majority of his minutes at the five in the postseason, but he is taking on that assignment more than ever before. That’s not going to change against the Grizzlies, and he’s going to have to fight hard on the glass against one of the best rebounding teams in the Association.
Draymond Green on Nikola Jokic: “Usually when guys are that talented and skilled, they’re soft. He’s far, far from soft.” pic.twitter.com/39LSduOGaP
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) April 28, 2022
Green’s rebounds and assists line is set at 14.5 for Sunday’s series opener, a mark he passed in three of Golden State’s five games against the Denver Nuggets. The former Defensive Player of the Year had 17 rebounds and 16 assists across his two regular season games against the Grizz.
Golden State is rightly favored for this one against a potentially fatigued Grizzlies team. This is a prime opportunity for Green to dominate at both ends — we’re taking the over here.
- Pick: Draymond Green over 14.5 rebounds and assists (-115)
Sam Cox is a freelance writer and sports junkie, who has spent the past several years immersed in the online gaming industry. He has worked with 888sport, Oddschecker, and Colossus Bets to name a few. Based in the UK, Sam also runs Franchise Sports with his brother.
