Find the best NBA player props for today, backed by predictive data to help you win your bets for the 2024-25 NBA season. Today, our focus is on the points prop for an elite-level player who is looking to help his team advance in their second-round playoff series. Continue reading to find out what we like in the prop markets on Sunday in The Association.
Today’s NBA Player Prop Bets
| Game | Prop Bet |
|---|---|
| Nuggets vs Thunder | Nikola Jokic Over 29.5 Points (-115) |
Denver Nuggets vs Oklahoma City Thunder – 3:30 PM ET
Our best NBA prop bet today comes from the second-round matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder. In Game 7 of that series, we will take Denver’s Nikola Jokic to score over 29.5 points. If the Nuggets are going to compete in this Game 7, Jokic will have to have a big game from a scoring perspective. Jokic has averaged 29.8 points per game in this series and we expect him to hit 30 or more in Game 7.
Prop Notes
- We expect high usage from Jokic in this win-or-go-home game.
- Jokic has shot over 60% in each of the last two games.
Prop Bet: Nikola Jokic Over 29.5 Points (-115) vs Thunder
Today’s NBA Game Previews
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ATS.io NBA Player Prop Bets
As experienced sports betting analysts, we’ve seen NBA prop betting evolve into one of the most entertaining betting options available. With expert insights, practical strategies, and actionable tips, we aim to empower you to make informed decisions and elevate your betting success.
How do you pick the NBA player prop bets each day?
Our team of NBA experts uses their own unique systems to identify which NBA player prop bet picks to make during today’s NBA games. This is done each day during the NBA season, from the opening night of the regular season through the end of the NBA Playoffs. Using a combination of statistical modeling and qualitative analysis, our NBA experts perform a full analysis of each game throughout the season to deliver you the best value in the prop betting markets.
Where can you place NBA player prop bets?
When it comes to placing NBA player prop bets, not all online us sportsbooks are created equal. That is why we have compiled the following list of the top sportsbooks for betting on these props. To take advantage of the new player promotions from these sportsbooks, to get even more value, just click the Claim Offer buttons for each sportsbook below.
Types of NBA player prop bets
When wagering on NBA player prop bets, bettors should understand the different type of prop markets that are out there. Continue reading here for a breakdown of the different types of prop bets that are available at most sites, and what the differences are between them, so you know what to expect when they bet on these markets during each game.
Over/Under NBA Player Props
The most common form of prop in the NBA is the over/under bet. This type of prop allows bettors to wager on how they think a player will do in a specific statistical category in a given game. Players have their own individual lines set in each category, such as how many points they will score and how many three-pointers they will make in each game. Bettors are then tasked with wagering on whether they think each player will go over or under those numbers.
Stat Combination Prop Bets
Along with single-stat prop bets, bettors can also wager on over/under markets concerning combinations of statistics for those playing in NBA games. For example, bettors can wager on props where a player’s points, rebounds, and assists are combined into one over/under wager.
Additionally, bettors can wager on an individual player to record a double-double or triple-double in each game. These markets can carry more favorable odds than wagering on just one statistical category in an over/under bet.
First Basket Props
One of the other player props that has really grown in popularity over the last couple of seasons is the first basket prop for each game. This market asks bettors to wager on who will score the first points of each game during the NBA season.
This market rewards bettors who understand matchups, specifically concerning who will win the jump ball between the two teams to open the first quarter. This market is also great for bettors who want their bets resolved quickly, rather than watching full games.
Strategies for Betting NBA Player Props
When it comes to wagering on prop bets in the NBA, there are several key pieces of strategy to utilize. Using these strategic tips will help you get the most value possible out of your bets, maximizing your chances to beat the odds and turn a profit on props during NBA games.
Analyzing the Matchups
The most important thing that a bettor can do when getting involved with NBA props is to understand the matchups between one team and the other. If one team has a clear advantage at one position or the other in an NBA game, that could mean a higher scoring performance at the position where that mismatch exists, and lower scoring performances elsewhere as usage shifts around.
Of course, in a league like the NBA, every team has players who can dominate their matchup on any given night. But identifying where each team has the edge in the NBA can shed light on where there is value in the NBA prop markets.
Understanding Scheduling Impacts
The NBA schedule is pretty grueling on the players involved, as the season lasts for around nine months for playoff teams. Even during the regular season, there are times where teams are scheduled to play two games on consecutive days. That can lead to below average performances from the players on those squads.
Even in the postseason, playing seven games against the same opponent can lead to coaching adjustments that can impact individual player performances positively and negatively. This means that bettors have to make the effort week in and week out to identify who will benefit and suffer from the scheduling burden on each team.
Bankroll Management
Finally, it is vital to employ sound bankroll management principles when wagering on NBA player props. Bettors should wager the same amount of money each time they place a bet, to smooth out the variance of winning and losing streaks. And bettors should be sure never to chase losses, as this can do more damage to your bankroll than simply losing a bet.
NBA First Basket Predictions Today – 5/18/2025
