Bryan Armetta shares his favorite player props on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday’s Los Angeles Lakers vs. Houston Rockets playoff matchup.
It’s been all Lakers to start the Western Conference playoffs, storming out to a 2-0 series lead over Houston. Even more impressive, Los Angeles has dominated without Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (oblique). Tonight, the Rockets hope to earn a much-needed Game 3 win at home.
The Rockets are favored by 8.5 points (-112) over the Lakers, with the over/under set at 206.5 points. Here are the three best prop bet picks on DraftKings Sportsbook for Friday’s Los Angeles vs. Houston matchup.
Countless names stepped up for LA during Games 1 and 2. That includes Marcus Smart, the exact kind of guy you want in a playoff rotation. The former Defensive Player of the Year isn’t always the most consistent on offense. However, his energy and intensity are well-suited to the high stakes environment that is postseason basketball. Through two appearances in this series, the veteran is averaging 20.0 points and 7.5 assists while shooting 52% from the field.
Expecting 20+ points every night from Smart is unrealistic. Still, with Doncic out and Reaves questionable, the guard is poised for continued usage tonight. Even if the latter does suit up on Friday, he’s unlikely to be at 100%. Not to mention, Smart helped force Kevin Durant into nine turnovers during Game 2. The 31-year-old’s two-way skills should guarantee another 30+ minute workload, with or without Reaves. On a thinner than usual Lakers squad, that’s enough time to rack up some counting stats.
Speaking of two-way players, Tari Eason might be the most underrated member of the Rockets. Inconsistent shooting aside, the forward does a little bit of everything on the court. Through 60 outings during the regular season, he put up 10.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. Much like Smart, Houston is willing to live with middling offense if it means quality defense. As a result, Eason has logged 24+ minutes off the bench in each game of this series.
It’s worth noting that the LSU alum has done quite well in this spot before. Over his last five matchups with the Lakers, postseason included, Eason is averaging 10.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists. During four of those contests, he’s managed to record at least 17 points + rebounds + assists. Los Angeles, despite its improved play of late, ranks 19th in the NBA with a 116.4 defensive rating. Add it all up, and Eason looks like a potential value at just 17+ PRA.
It’s not hyperbole to say that Luke Kennard has taken the NBA world by storm this postseason. During his first two games against Houston, the veteran has accounted for 25.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Even more impressive, he’s shooting 65% from the field and 73% from three-point range. That he’s done so against a stingy Rockets squad is nothing short of jaw-dropping. There’s only so much a defender can do against someone in the middle of an all-time heater.
It doesn’t take a genius to say that a 73% three-point clip is unsustainable. As previously mentioned, the Rockets are formidable on defense. Houston is giving up the fourth-fewest points (109.9) and fourth-fewest three-pointers made (12.3) per game to opponents. Kennard has tallied 15+ points in just three of 26 games when sharing the floor with Reaves, who might return tonight. There’s only one ball to go around, and two great games won’t drastically change Los Angeles’ offensive pecking order. On the road, this is the perfect time to fade Los Angeles’ sharpshooter.
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