Two closeout games are on tap for tonight, as the Los Angeles Lakers look to finish off the Houston Rockets and the No. 8-seeded Orlando Magic try to complete the upset with a win over the Detroit Pistons.
Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers look to hold serve at home after the home team won each of the first four games of the series against the Toronto Raptors.
My NBA picks cover all three games for this April 29 slate.
Best NBA player props today
| Player | Pick |  |
|---|---|---|
 Paolo Banchero |
Over 34.5 points + rebound + assists | -112 |
 Donovan Mitchell |
Over 27.5 points | -112 |
 LeBron James |
Over 15.5 rebounds + assists | +100 |
Prop #1: Paolo Banchero Over 34.5 points + rebounds + assists
Paolo Banchero shot a putrid 4-for-18 from the field in Game 4, but he still finished with 30 PRA.
Banchero will be better offensively in Game 5, especially with Franz Wagner’s status up in the air. Given his extensive injury history this season, I expect Wagner to sit this one out.
During the regular season, Banchero averaged 32 PRA with Wagner in the lineup compared to a whopping 37.7 with him sidelined.
The Orlando forward closed out the regular season on a high note, averaging 36.4 PRA across his final eight games. He went for 35+ four times and finished with exactly 34 once more.
Banchero posted PRA totals of 36, 32, 46, and 30 in Games 1-4 of the series, respectively, but he was even better against the Pistons in the regular season.
In three regular-season matchups with Detroit, Banchero averaged 39.3 PRA and hit the Over on this line in every game.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: Prime
Prop #2: Donovan Mitchell Over 27.5 points
Donovan Mitchell’s home-road splits were noticeable during the regular season, but they’ve been glaring in this series.
In Games 1 and 2, Mitchell averaged 31 points while shooting 55.8% from the floor and 47.1% from beyond the arc. In Games 3 and 4 at Scotiabank Arena, he totaled 35 points on a miserable 13-for-40 from the field and 5-for-17 from long distance...
The series is now a best-of-three affair, and the Cavs get two of those in Cleveland. I’ll bet on Mitchell bouncing back in front of the home crowd tonight after letting his team down in Toronto.
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ESPN
Prop #3: LeBron James Over 15.5 rebounds + assists
LeBron James finished Game 4 with just 10 points on 2-for-9 shooting and 0 of 3 from 3-point range. Despite the poor offensive showing, he made an impact as a rebounder and facilitator, posting 13 rebounds + assists.
Through four games of the series, James has racked up 21, 15, 19, and 13 RA, carrying a hefty load as the team’s primary playmaker.
Austin Reaves is expected back tonight, so James’ scoring may take a hit. With Luka Doncic still sidelined, however, James should thrive in other areas.
During the regular season, James averaged 12.4 RA in games played with Doncic. In 11 games with Doncic sidelined, that number rocketed up to 17.3, and James hit the Over nine times. I expect a strong performance from the King at home in a closeout scenario.
- Time: 10:00 p.m. ET
- Where to watch: ESPN
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