Player props can be useful in a variety of ways, from taking advantage of them straight up within the betting market to measuring a player's potential to produce in daily fantasy basketball.
Here we'll focus on utilizing our projections and a slew of other tools to help make money betting player props. For this article, we are using the odds provided at NBA Finals odds to pinpoint spots where value can be had tonight.
The prop-betting experience on FanDuel Sportsbook is getting even more fun. You can track your player props with real-time updates and place in-game props with ease.
Please note that betting lines and our player projections may change throughout the day after this article is published.
Stanley Johnson Over 1.5 Made Three-Pointers (+186)
With the Los Angeles Lakers packing it in for the season, Stanley Johnson is one of a few guys who will see an expanded role the rest of the way. He played 34.8 minutes last night, and we project him for 34.9 minutes tonight.
In a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder, Johnson should have chances to hit multiple threes, and we can get prop this at a juicy number.
Not only is OKC trying its best to lose, but the Thunder are allowing a 44.0% three-point attempt rate in the last 15 games, the third-highest in that time. With LA's stars sitting out last night, Johnson hoisted four three-pointers, hitting just one.
We project Johnson to make 1.7 treys on 5.1 attempts. At +186, the over on Johnson's made threes is a great prop bet to zero in on.
Andre Drummond Under 9.5 Points (-106)
The Cleveland Cavaliers have been tough on centers, and that puts me on the under on Andre Drummond's points prop.
Over the last 15 games, the Cavs have permitted just 21.1 points per game to centers, the fifth-fewest. And it's not like Drummond scores much anyway, dropping in eight or fewer points three times in his last four outings. He has played just 17.6, 20.3 and 18.1 minutes in the past three games.
Our projections have Drummond netting 8.1 points.
Keon Johnson Under 12.5 Points (-118)
Keon Johnson is taking on a Dallas Mavericks defense that's locked down guards this season.
Across the past 15 games, two-guards are scoring just 19.0 points per game against Dallas, the fewest in the NBA. Point guards have put in only 21.6 points per game in that time, the fourth-fewest.
The Mavs are also playing at the league's slowest pace over the past five. The Portland Trail Blazers are playing at a snail's pace, as well, sitting 27th in pace in that split. Oh, and Portland stinks, too. They're 19.5-point 'dogs, leading to an unsightly 100.00-point implied total.
We have Johnson coming in just under this line, forecasting him to score 12.3 points.