May 2nd NBA Player Props – Over/Unders and Picks for Game 1 Heat vs 76ers, Suns vs Mavericks
- The Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are in action on Monday night
- Joel Embiid and Kyle Lowry are both ruled out
- Read below for the latest NBA player props and best bets
Monday night brings us the series openers between Miami and Philadelphia and Phoenix and Dallas. Following two entertaining Sunday games, expectations are high for these Game 1s. Despite Kyle Lowry’s absence, the Heat are 7.5-point favorites over the Philadelphia 76ers with Joel Embiid ruled out for the first two games with an orbital fracture and concussion.
Dallas is 5.5-point underdogs for their game with the Suns, who welcomed back Devin Booker at the end of the first round. The Mavericks lost all three of their regular season meetings with the Suns, though they all took place before Dallas’ season-altering Kristaps Porzingis trade.
NBA Player Props – May 2nd
| PHI @ MIA | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| James Harden (PHI) | 25.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 7.5 (O +106 | U -130) | 9.5 (O -114 | U -106) | 2.5 (O -120 | U -106) |
| Tyrese Maxey (PHI) | 22.5 (O -108 | U -112) | 3.5 (O +100 | U -122) | 4.5 (O +120 | U -148) | 2.5 (O -118 | U -108) |
| Tobias Harris (PHI) | 18.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 7.5 (O -134 | U +110) | 3.5 (O +134 | U -164) | 1.5 (O -156 | U +122) |
| Bam Adebayo (MIA) | 19.5 (O -102 | U -118) | 10.5 (O +112 | U -138) | 3.5 (O -130 | U +106) | OFF |
| Jimmy Butler (MIA) | 24.5 (O -108 | U -112) | 6.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 6.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 0.5 (O -200 | U +154) |
| DAL @ PHO | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Three Pointers Made |
| Luka Doncic (DAL) | 30.5 (O -110 | U -110) | 9.5 (O -105 | U -115) | 7.5 (O -108 | U -114) | 3.5 (O -104 | U -122) |
| Jalen Brunson (DAL) | 19.5 (O -118 | U -102) | 4.5 (O -105 | U -115) | 3.5 (O +112 | U -138) | 1.5 (O +110 | U -134) |
| Chris Paul (PHO) | 17.5 (O +100 | U -122) | 4.5 (O -102 | U -120) | 10.5 (O +118 | U -144) | 1.5 (O +134 | U -172) |
| Deandre Ayton (PHO) | 18.5 (O -108 | U -112) | 11.5 (O +108 | U -132) | OFF | OFF |
| Jae Crowder (PHO) | 8.5 (O -120 | U -102) | 4.5 (O -112 | U -108) | OFF | 1.5 (O -113 | U -113) |
Odds as of May 2 at FanDuel Sportsbook
Despite facing the favorites in NBA Championship odds, Luka Doncic has Monday night’s highest points line at 30.5. The Slovenian returned from a calf issue in the first round to carry Dallas past Utah.
SPORTSBOOK
Bet $5 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly + a No Sweat NBA SGP Every Day!
Maxey Attacks Heat Defense
Tyrese Maxey was red-hot to start the first round. He slumped between games three and five, but bounced back in a big way in the Game 6 clincher, dropping 25 points on 16 shots. He matches up with a Heat team who he torched in their last meeting, scoring 28 points on just 15 field goal attempts.
Kyle Lowry’s injury should benefit Maxey. There will be more minutes for Miami’s weaker perimeter defenders, and we’ve seen how the Dallas native will relentlessly attack favorable matchups. Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro are particularly vulnerable, and we’ve seen Maxey go at both of them in the past.
All eyes are on James Harden, but Maxey’s role in the offense is huge without Joel Embiid. His speed earned the Sixers a lot of easy baskets in Game 6 against the Raptors, and Doc Rivers needs similar from the second-year guard on Monday night.
Maxey averaged almost 19 points per game and shot 48% from three after the All-Star break. That was primarily playing alongside Embiid, and his usage rate will be considerably higher with the MVP candidate sitting out. We like this over even at 22.5.
- Pick: Tyrese Maxey over 22.5 points (-108)
Ayton Hits Points and Rebounds Over
Deandre Ayton is a proven playoff performer. Just like last postseason, he has stepped up in a big way, delivering for the Suns in Devin Booker’s absence. While Booker has returned, he’s clearly not going to be able to carry the same offensive burden he usually would. Ayton’s role at both ends is crucial, and we will once again see a lot of his two-man game with Chris Paul.
The 29.5 points and rebounds line seems relatively fair for Game 1. Ayton hit the over in three of his six first round games. Yet there’s going to be considerable opportunity for even bigger numbers against a Dallas team which is generally small. Ayton can be a menace on the glass, as was shown by grabbing 30 boards across his two regular season meetings with the Mavs.
The Mavericks were happy to play small against Rudy Gobert, and they will persevere with that approach against Ayton. Offensive rebounds and put backs are a very real factor for Ayton as a result. With Dallas throwing their best defenders at Booker and Paul, there will be lots of chances for Ayton to roll to the basket or pop for his trademark mid-ranger.
Ayton has scored 16 or more points in 11 of his last 13 games. He’s will likely reach the teens in rebounding once again. Take the over here.
- Pick: Deandre Ayton over 29.5 points and rebounds (-120)
DRAFTKINGS SPORTSBOOKBET $5 & GET $200 INSTANTLY & A NO SWEAT NBA SGP EVERY DAY!
- FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK
BET $5 & GET $150 GUARANTEED!
- BETMGM SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,500 BACK IN BONUS BETS!
- CAESARS SPORTSBOOK
GET UP TO $1,000 BACK - ON CAESARS!
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.
