NBA player prop picks, odds: Three best 2026 NBA Playoffs prop bets for Tuesday, May 5
Top Prop Picks and Predictions for Tuesday’s Playoffs
SportsLine’s model and its team of experts have unveiled the top NBA prop picks and predictions for Tuesday’s Playoffs. Two new series are set to begin: Cavaliers vs. Pistons at 7:00 p.m. ET, followed by Lakers vs. Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET. Superstars such as James Harden, Cade Cunningham, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and LeBron James will be focal points for Tuesday’s prop bets, but finding value remains essential to a winning wager.
LeBron James led the Lakers in their first-round series against the Rockets, averaging 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. His over/under for total points in Game 1 against Oklahoma City is 20.5. The SportsLine Projection Model expects him to surpass that total, projecting 21.8 points, and it identifies this as one of Tuesday’s top NBA player props and best bets today.
The model also projects strong production for Thunder guard Luguentz Dort against the Lakers on Tuesday. Dort could see increased minutes with Jalen Williams (hamstring) officially ruled out for Game 1, and his over/under for points plus rebounds is 10.5.
Before locking in Tuesday’s NBA prop picks and other bets, be sure to check out the top picks from SportsLine’s proven computer model and its team of experts. The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the second round of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 26-9 (74%) run on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice on online betting sites and apps could have seen substantial returns.
Top NBA player prop picks:
-James Harden, Cavaliers, Over 30.5 points + rebounds + assists
-LeBron James, Lakers, Over 20.5 points;
-Luguentz Dort, Thunder, Over 10.5 points + rebounds;
-James Harden, Cavaliers, Over 30.5 points + rebounds + assists.
“James Harden has been underwhelming so far this postseason, which has been a recurring theme for him throughout his career,” SportsLine expert Doug Kralstein said. “With that being said, this is simply too low of a line for Harden, who averaged just shy of 37 PRA in the regular season. Harden is playing heavy minutes, and this number is much closer to his floor than his ceiling, even in a tough matchup.”
LeBron James, Lakers, Over 20.5 points. James was an all-around playmaker for the Lakers in their first-round series against the Rockets, averaging 23.2 points, 8.3 assists and 7.2 rebounds per game. In Los Angeles’ 119-110 loss to the Thunder on Feb. 9, James logged 22 points and shot 52.9% from the field. With Luka Doncic (hamstring) sidelined, James will serve as the Lakers’ primary scoring option against Oklahoma City in Game 1.
