🏀 Thunder vs. Lakers Player Props Today: NBA Picks & Best Bets (May 9)
The Los Angeles Lakers face a 2-0 series deficit when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 3 at 8:30 p.m. ET (ABC) on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Oklahoma City is an 8.5-point betting favorite after two convincing wins, but this is a kitchen sink game for Los Angeles. That's why I'm targeting LeBron James in my Thunder vs. Lakers player props today as part of Saturday's NBA picks and best bets.
🏀 Best Thunder vs. Lakers player props today: NBA picks for May 9
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 | Over 21.5 points (-107 via BetRivers) | 1u -> 0.93u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| LeBron James, F, Lakers | Under 6.5 rebounds (-115 via bet365) | 1u -> 0.87u | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Total wagered: 2 units | Max profit: 1.8 units
💰 Best Thunder vs. Lakers prop bet
LeBron James Over 21.5 points (-107)
LeBron James won't go down without a fight, and he's proved this postseason that he's still one of the top players in the game when the stakes are highest. James has averaged 23.6 points per game in the playoffs, clearing this scoring line six times.
James has an advantage against a Thunder team without Jalen Williams. They don't have the size to slow him down once he gets up to full speed. James has scored 50 points through two games.
With this line listed 22.5 everywhere else, I'll scoop up the bargain at BetRivers.
🔥 More Thunder vs. Lakers prop picks
LeBron James Under 6.5 rebounds (-115)
I don't believe these two props contradict each other at all. James can score, but not have an advantage on the glass. That's been the case against the Thunder this year.
James has grabbed six rebounds on 15 total chances through the first two games of this series. Counting the regular season, James has averaged 4.5 boards on 8.5 chances against the Thunder. He's failed to clear this rebound line in all four head-to-head meetings.
James has only cleared this rebound line once in his previous five playoff games, averaging four boards. It's clear that James is conserving some energy by not attacking the glass as much.
🚀 Thunder vs. Lakers same-game parlay
Go big or go home, right? With the Lakers staring down a potential 3-0 series deficit, I expect an inspired effort on Saturday night. If they are going to win a game in this series, tonight might be their best shot. By adding the Lakers' moneyline to my favorite player props, bet365 offers a massive +1250 payout for this three-leg SGP.
💵 Thunder vs. Lakers SGP picks
- LeBron James Over 22.5 points (-112)
- LeBron James Under 6.5 rebounds (-115)
- Lakers ML (+300)
Best odds: +1250 via bet365 (0.1u -> 1.25u)
💵 My betting record for NBA picks
All NBA picks, including SGPs, have been tracked since March 28.
| Bet type | Record | Net profit | ROI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 38-46 | +6.58 units ✅ | 11.1% ✅ |
| Player props | 33-25 | +8.18 units ✅ | 14.6% ✅ |
| Parlays | 5-20 | -0.6 units ❌ | -24% ❌ |
💡 How I'm betting Thunder vs. Lakers
Follow all of our NBA analysis and expert predictions this season.
I'm betting on the greatest basketball player of all time in what might be his final playoff series. What are your plans for the weekend?
James won't go down without a fight, and he has real matchup advantages against the Thunder, so I really like his scoring line. It has barely moved from the closing total of 20.5 in each of the first two games.
Speaking of movement, James' rebound line remains the same. There are legitimate reasons why he's not crashing the glass as much lately, so I think it's worth betting the Under.
🚑 Thunder vs. Lakers injuries
📺 How to watch Thunder vs. Lakers
- Date: Saturday, May 9
- Tipoff: 8:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Crypto.com Arena (Los Angeles)
- TV: ABC
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