Saturday and Sunday brought us two Game 7s and the end of the first round of the 2024-25 NBA playoffs.
Monday’s two-game slate kicks off two second-round series when the Oklahoma City Thunder host the Denver Nuggets, and the Boston Celtics welcome the New York Knicks into TD Garden.
My top NBA picks for Monday, May 5 highlight three NBA player props for star players with advantageous lines.
Best NBA player props today
Tatum o42.5 PRA (-115) 
Gilgeous-Alexander o32.5 points (-110) 
Towns o32.5 points+rebounds (-115)
NBA player props for May 5
Jayson Tatum Over 42.5 points + rebounds + assists (-115 at bet365)
Jayson Tatum opened the 2024-25 playoffs with a 17/14/4 line against the Magic in Game 1 before sitting out Game 2 with a wrist injury. In Games 3-5, he went on a heater, averaging 36 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, good for a whopping 52 PRA.
The Boston Celtics star has hit the Over on this combo line in three straight, and I expect him to do it again tonight against a New York Knicks team he torched across four regular season matchups. Tatum averaged 47.3 PRA against New York and posted no fewer than 44 PRA in each outing.
Tatum has averaged 44.3 PRA across his last 10 games overall, and he’s gone for at least 43 PRA in 11 of his last 16 playoff appearances. Expect a strong showing from the superstar as he takes on a familiar foe in front of the home crowd.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Over 32.5 points (-110 at bet365)
A bet on the NBA’s scoring leader to have a tremendous game at home against a vulnerable defense? Don’t mind if I do! Shai Gilgeous-Alexander averaged a career-high 32.7 points to capture his first scoring title and finish with 30 points per game for the third straight season.
SGA posted 31.9 points per game on the road but averaged an NBA-best 33.4 at Paycom Center. Including the regular season and playoffs, he finished with at least 33 points in 33 games, including 20 at home.
The Denver Nuggets sport the lowest defensive rating of any team remaining in the postseason at a generous 115.9, and the team is fresh off a grueling, seven-game series against the Clippers. SGA should have no issues scoring at will in this favorable matchup.
Karl-Anthony towns Over 32.5 points + rebounds (-115 at bet365)
Karl-Anthony Towns enjoyed one of the most productive statistical seasons of his career in his first campaign with the Knicks. The big man averaged 24.4 points and 12.8 rebounds in the regular season, good for 37.2 points + rebounds. He cleared this combo line in 55 of 78 games overall and was more productive on the road than at home.
KAT averaged 35.9 points + rebounds at Madison Square Garden and 37.3 across all other venues. That trend carried over to the playoffs, as Towns averaged 26 at home compared to 33.4 on the road in six games against the Pistons. He cleared 33 in three of those six contests.
The Knicks and Celtics played two competitive regular season games and two blowouts this season. In the blowouts, Towns averaged 18.5 points + rebounds in limited minutes. In the competitive games, he averaged 45. I expect tonight’s matchup to be competitive and for Towns to comfortably clear this line which is set advantageously low.
Cash your ML bets quicker with bet365's early win payout
Take advantage of the early win payout at bet365, where any pre-game NBA moneyline bet gets paid out as a winner if your team goes up by 20+ points!
Learn more about this feature, and all of bet365's offerings, with our comprehensive bet365 review.
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
NBA odds today
Here are the full NBA odds for all of today’s matchups.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
