NBA Playoffs Player Props: 3 Picks for Monday, May 5

A new week, and another pair of must-see NBA playoff matchups.

It starts in Boston, where the Celtics host Game 1 of their Round 2 series with the Knicks, while the Nuggets, just off a Game 7 win to close out the Clippers, go to OKC to take on the Thunder, who’ve been waiting for a while after dumping Memphis in five.

It’s a new set of matchups, so we’ve got a little adjusting to make as we set out to share our favorite player props.

Check out our free NBA picks below.

NBA Player Prop Picks for May 5

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Jalen Brunson Under 27.5 points vs Celtics (-115 at Bet365)

If you know the Celtics and that trademark defense, then you know they are taking away one of Jalen Brunson or Karl-Anthony Towns.

For Game 1, I think Boston establishes the hounding that Brunson is going to feel all series.

There are just so many options they can throw at him, starting with Jrue Holiday, to Derrick White, and into Jaylen Brown when it goes down to the wire.

Boston has done their work on the guard ever since he landed in NYC, holding him under 27.5 points in eight of 12 regular season matchups.

Jamal Murray Under 20.5 points vs Thunder (-115 at Bet365)

This one is more about fatigue and adjustment.

Denver just found itself in a slog against the Clippers, and seeing the Thunder in real time won’t be pretty.

OKC demolished Memphis, ending third in points allowed while still ranking second in pace. They will stop you and then run you over.

Murray had a good series against the Clippers, averaging 22.9 points on 48.1% shooting from the field and 40.4% from distance.

The Thunder have held him to under 20 points in six of the last seven meetings, and it’s looking like more of the same in Game 1.

Russell Westbrook Over 11.5 points vs Thunder (-115 at Bet365)

I feel like every playoff, you get addicted to betting on someone, and that person for me now is Russell Westbrook.

Eternally bashed by statheads and basketball analysts alike, he’s been a betting boon for anyone riding him in Round 1.

In the five games he played against LA – not including Game 3, where he left with a foot injury after nine minutes – Russ cooked, topping his total in all five.

The books have yet to respond, and in Game 1 against OKC, Russ again has a gettable 11.5 scoring line. He hasn’t scored less than 14 in any game.

With the extra incentive of playing another former team? I think he’s going to impress again.