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Raptors forward Brandon Ingram doubtful for Game 6 vs. Cavaliers due to heel injury
Brandon Ingram is doubtful for Game 6 against the Cavaliers due to a heel injury.
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NBA player prop picks, odds: Three best 2026 NBA Playoffs prop bets for Friday, May 1
TL;DR
The Lakers aim to eliminate the Rockets in Game 6, with Deandre Ayton projected to score over 15 points. Ausar Thompson is also highlighted for his rebounding potential against the Magic.
Key points
- Lakers aim to close out the Rockets in Game 6
- Deandre Ayton projected to score over 15 points
- Ayton's over/under for points is 11.5
- Ausar Thompson expected to exceed 6.5 rebounds
- SportsLine Projection Model shows strong betting success
Los Angeles LakersHouston RocketsDeandre AytonAusar Thompson
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The Los Angeles Lakers will look to close out the Houston Rockets on the road in Game 6. Lakers center Deandre Ayton has been extremely effective in Los Angeles' past two losses against Houston, securing a double-double in both outings. He's coming off an 18-point and 17-rebound performance in Game 5, and he could be a focal point for NBA prop picks on Friday. Ayton's over/under for total points scored in Game 6 is 11.5, according to the latest NBA betting odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. The SportsLine Projection Model projects he'll exceed that total against the Rockets, predicting he'll finish with 15.3 points, and identifies it as one of Friday's top NBA player props and NBA best bets today.
SportsLine NBA expert Larry Hartstein is also high on Pistons guard Ausar Thompson to be an effective rebounder when Detroit takes on the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. ET. Robinson has logged eight or more rebounds in each of his past four meetings with the Magic, and his over/under for total rebounds on Friday is 6.5. Before locking in Friday's NBA prop picks and other NBA bets on betting sites like FanDuel, be sure to check out top picks from the proven computer model and team of experts at SportsLine.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. The model entered the second full week of the 2026 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 25-9 roll (74%) on top-rated NBA spread picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting advice at online betting sites and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Top NBA player prop picks on Friday
- Ausar Thompson, Pistons, Over 6.5 rebounds
- Collin Murray-Boyles, Raptors, Over 17.5 points + rebounds
- Deandre Ayton, Lakers, Over 11.5 points
Ausar Thompson, Pistons, Over 6.5 rebounds
"Pistons all-world defender Ausar Thompson has played 32 or more minutes in three straight games and is coming off an incredible all-around performance: 15 rebounds, six assists, five steals and two blocks (not to mention six points)," SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein said. "The 23-year-old has recorded seven, eight, eight, nine and 15 boards in this series. Fellow starter Tobias Harris (ankle) is questionable for Game 6. He's averaging 7.6 rebounds in this series, so his potential absence (or if he's limited) would put even more of a rebounding burden on Thompson."
Q&A
What are the NBA player prop picks for May 1, 2026?
The top NBA player prop picks include Deandre Ayton scoring over 11.5 points and Ausar Thompson exceeding 6.5 rebounds.
How effective has Deandre Ayton been in the playoffs?
Deandre Ayton has secured double-doubles in the last two games against the Rockets, including an 18-point and 17-rebound performance in Game 5.
What is the betting line for Ayton's points in Game 6?
Ayton's over/under for total points scored in Game 6 is set at 11.5 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
What is Ausar Thompson's recent performance against the Magic?
Ausar Thompson has logged eight or more rebounds in each of his past four meetings with the Magic.