The semifinal round of the NBA In-Season Tournament tips off on Thursday, Dec. 7. The Pacers and Bucks will start things off at 5 p.m. ET, and the Pelicans and Lakers will conclude the round at 9 p.m. ET. The games have produced playoff-like atmospheres, which has made the games both exciting to watch and wager on. With more thrilling action quickly approaching, we’re taking a look at the best player props for the NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals and some of the best sportsbook bonuses on the market.
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NBA player props for NBA In-Season Tournament Semifinals
Tyrese Haliburton over 28.5 points (-104 odds on FanDuel Sportsbook)
The Bucks’ offense is near the top of the league, but their defense has failed to keep up. They allow 118 points per contest, which is the 24th worst average in the NBA. A big part of the reason is the loss of Jrue Holiday, who was their best perimeter defender and one of the best in the league at the point guard spot. Damian Lillard is capable of filling it up with the best of them, but he pales in comparison to Holiday defensively.
Tyrese Haliburton is shooting 52% from the field and nearly 45% from deep on 18 shot attempts per contest. Against a defense like the Bucks, he should be able to top his total, which he did the first time these two teams met. Additionally, the Pacers own the highest pace in the league and the Bucks own the fifth fastest. There will be an abundance of shots to go around in this one, which helps Halliburton’s odds even more.
Damian Lillard over 3.5 made threes (+105 odds on BetMGM Sportsbook)
Lillard has been scorching from deep. In his last five games, he is shooting 42% from deep and has connected on at least three attempts in four of the five games. Tonight, he is up against a Pacers’ defense that is second-to-last in defending the long ball, allowing teams to shoot a whopping 39% from beyond the arc. Indiana is also second-to-last in points allowed per game.
Considering how abysmal their defense is and how many shots both teams like to get up, this one could very easily be a barn burner, and if it is, Lillard can get hot with the best of them. The Pacers won their last tournament game 122-112 over Boston, and Milwaukee won its last tournament game 146-122. Look for a lot of points in this one in a variety of ways from a plethora of players in this matchup.
Jonas Valanciunas first basket (+600 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook)
The Pelicans’ big man jumps it up to start the game and the team owns a 55% jump ball win percentage, which is three percentage points higher than what the Lakers own. Additionally, Anthony Davis usually jumps it up for Los Angeles, but he is a gametime decision due to a lingering hip issue. So, even if he plays, the explosiveness to win the opening tip may not be there against a healthy Valanciunas.
The biggest reason New Orleans’ big man is a solid option in this market is because he is on a first basket hot streak. He takes the first shot for the Pelicans 32% of the time and scores the team’s first basket 27% of the time. He has six first baskets this year and four in the last 10 games. Whether the shot is created for him, or he gets the ball on the block against a mismatch, the Pelicans look to get him going early to fuel his defense.
Valanciunas offers incredible value on this line, and he is as hot as they come right now.
LeBron James under 28.5 points (-120 odds on Bet365 Sportsbook)
LeBron James is coming off a 31-point performance against the Suns in Tuesday’s Tournament game. It was the seventh time he topped that number in a contest. In all but two of those games were the opposing defenses top 12 in points in the paint allowed per contest. The two he did so against were the Clippers (in OT) and the Rockets.
New Orleans is 11th best in the league at protecting the paint and has a variety of big bodies to throw his way, which should make it challenging for him to hit his total. The Pelicans also own the fourth best three-point defense. James also had good nights from deep in his big scoring games this year. Considering how the Pelicans defend the two areas he does the bulk of his damage, we’re suggesting shorting him on this line tonight.
