🏀 Lakers vs. Rockets Player Props Today: NBA Playoffs Picks & Best Bets for Game 6
The Los Angeles Lakers have dropped back-to-back games since taking a 3-0 series lead, increasing the pressure ahead of Game 6 against the Houston Rockets today, with tipoff from Toyota Center in Houston set for 9:30 p.m. ET (Prime Video).
No team has ever won a series after being down 3-0, but Houston is a 3.5-point betting favorite to extend the series to Game 7. My Lakers vs. Rockets player props today are not optimistic about LeBron James on one day of rest as part of our NBA picks and best bets for Friday.
🏀 Best Lakers vs. Rockets player props today: NBA picks for May 1
See all of our experts' NBA picks based on the latest NBA odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.
| Player | Prop bet | Units | Confidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeBron James, F, Lakers | Under 38.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110 via BetMGM) | 1u -> 0.91u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Marcus Smart, G, Lakers | Over 2.5 rebounds (-113 via DraftKings) | 1u -> 0.88u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Reed Sheppard, G, Rockets | Under 7.5 rebounds + assists (-112 via bet365) | 1u -> 0.89u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Total wagered: 3 units | Max profit: 2.68 units
💰 Best Lakers vs. Rockets prop bet
The Lakers have the sixth-shortest odds to win the NBA Finals.
LeBron James Under 38.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110)
Will James be on the wrong end of the first 3-0 comeback in NBA postseason history?
For this prop, there are two factors working in my favor: James' age on one day of rest, and the return of Austin Reaves. With Reaves in the lineup, James has only cleared this PRA line six times in 36 games, averaging 18.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. James is also showing signs of fatigue deeper in this series, failing to clear this mark in back-to-back contests.
This line is 37.5 at some shops, so grab BetMGM's bargain.
🔥 More Lakers vs. Rockets prop picks
Follow all of our NBA analysis and expert predictions this season.
Marcus Smart Over 2.5 rebounds (-113)
Marcus Smart has become an important contributor on the Lakers this year, thanks to his hard-nosed, defensive performance. He might be the player I trust the most on the Lakers to bring energy on the road.
With Reaves back in the lineup, Smart's offensive role will decrease. But he can make up for it in other ways, as was the case in Game 5. He grabbed five rebounds on nine chances. Smart has only cleared this rebound line twice in this series, but he's been a bit unlucky. He's averaging 8.2 rebound chances per contest.
Considering this Over costs as much as -160 in the market, I'm happy to take the discount at DraftKings.
Reed Sheppard Under 7.5 rebounds + assists (-112)
For the second straight game, I'm targeting this Under for Rockets guard Reed Sheppard. Most shops have dropped this line to 6.5, but bet365 is holding steady with the lone 7.5 at a reasonable price on the Under.
Sheppard finished with six assists (on nine potential dimes) and no rebounds in Game 5. He's averaged 5.4 assists (7.6 potential dimes) and 1.2 rebounds (6.3 chances) per game in this series. He's cleared this combo line just twice.
I do think Reaves' return limits Sheppard's impact on rebounding. But I also think Sheppard is running too hot on his assist conversion rate. More than anything, this value is too good to pass up.
🚀 Lakers vs. Rockets same-game parlay
A Lakers vs. Rockets parlay of all three player props comes out to a +450 payout at bet365. If you want to add the Rockets' moneyline, it would increase it to +725. But I'm already stressed enough thinking about the possibility of James being on the wrong end of a 3-0 collapse. Please think of me this weekend.
💵 Lakers vs. Rockets SGP picks
- LeBron James Under 38.5 points + rebounds + assists (-110)
- Marcus Smart Over 2.5 rebounds (-130)
- Reed Sheppard Under 7.5 rebounds + assists (-112)
Best odds: +450 via bet365 (0.1u -> 0.45u)
💵 My betting record for NBA picks
All NBA picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 28.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 33-38 | +6.26 units ✅ | 12.5% ✅ |
| Player props | 28-21 | +7.46 units ✅ | 15.9% ✅ |
| Parlays | 5-16 | -0.2 units ❌ | -9.5% ❌ |
💡 How I'm betting Lakers vs. Rockets
I've allocated three units between three plays for tonight's Lakers vs. Rockets matchup in Houston.
In all three cases, I've found some outliers in the market. James' usage isn't as high with Reaves in the lineup, and I'm not optimistic about his form on such a quick turnaround. The Rockets have done a good job of hiding Sheppard on the defensive end, but look for the Lakers to try to play him off the floor in Game 6. Plus, Smart is worth backing in a big spot for the Lakers.
I might be a nervous wreck thinking about this game, but I feel good about these three plays.
🚑 Lakers vs. Rockets injuries
Injury report last updated at 11:40 a.m. ET.
Lakers
- Luka Doncic (hamstring) - out
Rockets
- Steven Adams (ankle) - out
- Kevin Durant (ankle) - doubtful
- Fred VanVleet (ACL) - out
📺 How to watch Lakers vs. Rockets
- Date: Friday, May 1
- Tipoff: 9:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Toyota Center (Houston)
- TV: Prime Video
💡 More NBA expert picks tonight
- Pistons vs. Magic player props
- Lakers vs. Rockets player props
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