The NBA playoffs continue on Monday night with two #1 seeds seeking to get out to 3-1 leads in their respective series.
The Utah Jazz, having been taken to the woodshed by the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 2, will take them on again at the Staples Center in Game 3 (10:05 PM ET). And prior to that, the Philadelphia 76ers play the host Atlanta Hawks at 7:35 PM ET.
We really like some props for these games, and we think bettors are going to really like them too.
Let’s take a look:
76ers vs. Hawks Game 4 Props Predictions
76ers vs. Hawks Betting Report
JOEL EMBIID OVER 30.5 POINTS (-125)
We acknowledge that this is a couple of points higher than his average scoring average for the regular season. And he has topped this number only 45% of the time.
But the circumstances are a little different here. The Hawks simply can not guard Embiid. For the series, he’s averaged 35.3 points (which comes to 106 points in 107 minutes). That’s about as dominant as anyone in the NBA is going to be and he’s a great target tonight for NBA player props.
A sure sign of all this is that the Hawks can’t play against him without sending him to the free throw line. Embiid has taken 47 free throws in three games, and that is 78.3% of the field goal attempts he’s had. And unlike Ben Simmons, who’s choked a bone at the charity stripe, Embiid is nailing 80.9% of his shots.
Clint Capela has played fewer than 30 minutes per game. He can’t handle him. Neither can John Collins. De’Andre Hunter, who’s always very good on those switches, isn’t available to help since he is out with a knee injury.
This set of parameters represents the kind of strategy the Sixers are going to keep employing until the Hawks are able to demonstrate they can stop it.
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SIXERS OVER 114.5 POINTS VS. HAWKS (-110)
Philadelphia has exceeded this total in each of its three games (124, 118 and 127). But that is being really simple about it. This pace has not been slow (98.2), but it’s not overly swift either.
What’s worked for the Sixers thus far is that they have been incredibly efficient on offense. In fact, their Offensive Rating has been a sizzling 125.3 in this series (that measures points scored per 100 possessions).
What has Atlanta done to keep them in check? We touched upon Embiid’s numbers above. The Sixers, as a team, have shot 55.2% overall from the field and 42.1% from beyond the three-point line. And let’s remember that, as mentioned, Hunter is not around to help on defense.
Jazz vs. Clippers Game 4 Props Prediction
Jazz vs. Clippers Betting Report
CLIPPERS OVER 119.5 POINTS VS. JAZZ (+175)
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Yes, the Clippers have gone under this posted total in two of the three games thus far. But here’s the thing – Donovan Mitchell has scored 112 points in three games. The best shot for L.A. to keep him relatively under control would be for Patrick Beverley to get out there and harass him and put him in places from where he doesn’t want to shoot.
But coach Ty Lue has been reluctant to use him, even after saying he was going to see more action. Beverley has played all of 43 minutes, and that is a decision that may bring about a lot of second-guessing on the part of Clippers fans if they get eliminated in this series.
Clearly the objective is to put offense out there at the expense of defense. And sure, more minutes for somebody like Reggie Jackson is going to mean that. You’ll also see continued efficiency on the part of Mitchell, who is over 50% from the field and 47% from three-point territory.
While Utah has outscored Los Angeles by 30 points from beyond the arc, that’s well below their season average. And the Clippers don’t appear to have a lot of problems getting open looks from the outside.
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