Player props to target for Tuesday's NBA slate
Find year-round coverage of betting news and insights for all sports by visiting our Betting section and subscribing to push notifications.
The Cavs-Celtics and Mavs-Thunder open their second-round series Tuesday. Tread lightly when betting on Game 1s as teams feel each other out before making tactical adjustments in future matchups.
We're not playing a side or total for Tuesday's games. Instead, we'll target three player props.
Dereck Lively: Over 6.5 rebounds
Though he splits center minutes with Daniel Gafford, Lively still played over 20 minutes per game in the first round. The rookie is a better lob threat and rim-runner than Gafford.
The Mavs' game plan will include prioritizing the offensive glass. The Thunder are one of the NBA's worst rebounding groups and allow rebounds to centers at a high clip. Lively should take advantage of his matchup against Chet Holmgren and the Thunder's other undersized centers.
Lively and Dallas will generate extra possessions by grabbing offensive boards. He secured at least seven rebounds in the last three games in which he's played at least 20 minutes.
Odds: +100
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: Over 28.5 points
The Mavs will have a matchup problem with Gilgeous-Alexander. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving can't defend him. Even if the Mavs have someone else guard SGA, the Thunder will put Doncic and Irving in action to generate switches onto him.
Gilgeous-Alexander is in store for a monstrous series. The Mavs play team defense at a high level and successfully prevent penetrating players from entering the lane, but SGA leads the league in drives. There's no stopping the MVP candidate when he's heading downhill.
Gilgeous-Alexander's a slightly better scorer and more efficient at home than on the road during the regular season and playoffs. Luckily for him, Game 1 is in Oklahoma City.
This series - and game - will come down to each group's supporting cast, but SGA should generate any look he wants as he cooks the Mavs.
Odds: -118
Darius Garland: Under 15.5 points
Garland struggled against the Magic's swarming defense. The Celtics have an even better defense and numerous perimeter pests who can switch any action and make it difficult for Garland to create separation.
He clearly became more passive and looked for his shot less as the Magic series progressed - Garland scored over 15 points in only two of seven games. Whether Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, or Jaylen Brown are switched on to Garland, he won't blow by Boston's defense.
Garland's lost confidence as a scorer, which leads to less aggressive drives. Expect a similar outcome Tuesday.
Odds: -105
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.