Props Released on Potential Playoff Stats for Lillard, Morant and Zion Williamson

• Zion Williamson, Ja Morant and Damian Lillard feature in prop bets ahead of the NBA’s restart in Orlando
• All three stars are in the mix for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference
• The odds and betting discussion are available below

Scrimmage games are underway in the NBA’s Orlando bubble. Competitive basketball is almost back, with the season resuming on July 30th. The seeding games are of particular interest for the Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, who are all competing for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.

Memphis currently holds that spot, but they face a tough schedule and could be forced into a play-in by New Orleans or Portland if they are within four games when the regular season comes to an end.

There are prop bets available for the star men on each of these three teams should they make the playoffs.

Zion Williamson, Ja Morant & Damian Lillard NBA Playoff Props and Odds

Odds taken Jul 28.

Lillard Could Catch Fire in Florida

Damian Lillard averaged 26.9 points per night in the playoffs last season. He led a weakened Portland team to the Western Conference Finals. This season hasn’t gone to plan for the Blazers, but with Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic returning, they are a team to watch in Orlando. They have big-game experience, and are the current occupants of the nine spot in the West.

These props require Portland to make the playoffs, and as such, are looking at a series with LeBron James’ Lakers. Lillard has good memories against the Lakers this year – he has scored 48, 31 and 29 in those matchups.

Among the most gifted scorers in the league, only four players have a higher points per game than Lillard’s 28.9 this season. Aside from their previous meetings, there’s reason to believe the Lakers are a good matchup, too. They have lost two of their key perimeter rotation players in Avery Bradley and Rajon Rondo, and there remains uncertainty over who will guard the opposition’s point guard.

Bradley is a plus-defender, a guy who could have made life difficult for Lillard. Alex Caruso could be given the assignment, and while he’s a good defender, he isn’t as strong a matchup for the Lakers.

The return of Collins and Nurkic is an interesting factor to consider for this prop. The most straight forward way to look at it is that they will distract some defensive attention from Lillard (Nurkic’s screens and occasional buckets will be helpful). Perhaps, though, it will see Lillard’s usage decline slightly. This is the highest scoring season of his NBA career – that has been out of necessity.

Highest career PPG in the playoffs among players in the bubble:

1. LeBron James – 28.9 PPG
2. Russell Westbrook – 25.4 PPG
3. Damian Lillard – 24.8 PPG
4. Carmelo Anthony – 24.5 PPG
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo – 22.9 PPG pic.twitter.com/7wCcHKxImt

— Zark (@ZarkTweets) July 23, 2020

Portland should be a better team in the bubble than they have been throughout this season. They will still be huge underdogs in a series with the Lakers, and will need Lillard at his very best to make it competitive. He had some quiet nights in the postseason last year – any like that in Orlando and not only will it be a quick series, but averaging north of 27.5 will be very difficult.

Despite that, Lillard is one of the few players in the league who can chuck up a run of 40+ nights. For Portland to make the playoffs he needs to be playing very well – if he carries that into a postseason series, averaging over 27.5 is attainable.

Pick: Lillard to average over 27.5 points per game (-115)

Morant’s Scoring Powers Memphis

The red-hot favorite to win Rookie of the Year, Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies are in pole position to take the final playoff spot in the West. Memphis, even if forced to a play-in, will likely only need to win one of two to book a first-round date with the Los Angeles Lakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpeNM2vXrkM

The Grizz remain the favorites to make the postseason. Jaren Jackson and Brandon Clarke are fully healthy again. Morant is as fearless as they come, and will be ready to entertain in the playoffs.

There’s obviously no postseason record to fall back on here. The line for both assists and scoring requires an increase from his 6.9 dimes and 17.6 points per game. Just like Lillard, though, if Morant makes the playoffs, he should benefit from the Lakers’ absentees (particularly Bradley).

It’s rare that rookie point guards help their team win games, and particularly infrequent that they end up in the playoffs. Morant has exceeded expectations throughout this season, but there’s obvious uncertainty about how he will play when the game slows down. The Grizz are seventh in pace, and the 2019 second overall pick thrives on fast-break points. Memphis is fourth in the NBA in fast-break points per game.

just trying to get dat mahomes contract 🤣🤣 https://t.co/7XmCqFhmkf

— Ja Morant (@JaMorant) July 22, 2020

There’s a temptation to take the under on Morant’s scoring. If Memphis make the postseason, there will be plenty of pessimism about them. They are a team too often downplayed amid the Pelicans-centered excitement. The Grizz have been a more than solid team this season, and Morant has led them to that level.

He has thrived throughout his rookie year. While he’s not a volume shooter yet, he has shot a decent percentage from deep despite concerns about his range when he was drafted. Morant to hit the over on points and assists looks a good bet – he continues to deliver and has shown a knack for performing on the big stage.

Picks: Morant over 7 assists (-115), Morant over 18.5 points (-115)