Best player prop bets to consider for Tuesday's NBA playoff slate
Individual results from Game 1 should make for an interesting set of player props for Tuesday's NBA slate. Here are a few you should keep an eye on.
Kyle Lowry Over/Under 13.5 points
It's common for bettors to succumb to recency bias. Lowry was the main storyline in the Toronto Raptors' Game 1 loss to the Orlando Magic, putting up a goose egg in the scoring department as he went 0-for-7 from the field and 0-for-2 at the free-throw line. However, Toronto's veteran point guard hasn't been all that bad in the postseason. Over 63 career playoff games, Lowry's averaging a shade better than 15 points per contest.
Back at home with a chance to make amends for an 0-fer, Lowry's point-total prop might be the most intriguing of them all.
D.J. Augustin Over/Under 1.5 3-pointers made
Augustin was the other major storyline in the Orlando-Toronto game, registering a team-high 25 points and draining a last-second go-ahead three to give the Magic a 1-0 series lead.
As a rookie in 2008-09, Augustin cashed in on 43.9 percent of his triples. He fell below the 40 percent mark in each of the 12 seasons after, but he's up to 42.1 this season. Augustin hit four of his five attempts Saturday and gives the Magic a much-needed perimeter presence in an offense that shot nearly 50 percent from beyond the arc in the win.
The Raptors are typically great at covering opposing point guards around the perimeter, though, allowing a league-best 2.15 threes per game. Perhaps Toronto will pay extra attention to Augustin following his clutch performance.
Paul George Over/Under 3.5 3-pointers made
George took a while to get going in the Game 1 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, finishing 4-for-15 from deep and totaling 26 points. He's turned his shooting volume up a notch, attempting at least 20 field goals in seven of the previous eight games and at least 10 3-pointers in 10 of the previous 13. He saw a handful of open looks from beyond the arc Saturday but struggled, as the Oklahoma City Thunder converted on just five of 33 attempts as a team.
The Trail Blazers only allow 2.22 made 3-pointers per game to opposing small forwards, but George's recent uptick in field-goal attempts - especially from long range - shouldn't be ignored.
Jamal Murray Over/Under 19.5 points
Murray went cold from his hot spot in the Denver Nuggets' loss to San Antonio on Saturday, missing all six of his attempts from downtown. He still finished with 17 points thanks to converting on eight of his 18 two-point attempts. Murray has been able to bounce back from poor shooting performances, averaging 24.5 points per contest in his last five games after he fails to convert on a three. The Spurs, meanwhile, aren't great against shooting guards, allowing 23.2 points and 3.35 successful threes per game this season.
Enes Kanter Over/Under 31.5 points + rebounds + assists
Kanter was the X-factor for the Trail Blazers on Saturday, pouring in 20 points and adding 18 rebounds in the win. One might assume Kanter is due to come back to earth, but the number on his points, rebounds, and assists feels short considering he's shattered it in six of the previous seven games.
Alex Kolodziej is theScore's betting writer. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 11 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AlexKoIodziej.