2024 NBA Player Props, Breakdown, Odds, and Picks (May 3)

• We’ve got some NBA player props for you for Playoff games on Friday, May 3, 2024.
• We predict Paolo Banchero will score a lot of points in Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic Game 6.
• Our pick is that James Harden will score at least 3x as many points as he did in his last outing.

Two games of the 2024 NBA Playoffs are on the program on Friday, May 3, and each of those could be the last for one of the teams involved.

In the Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Orlando Magic game, the boys from Florida need a win tonight to keep the series alive. For that to happen, they need to see Paolo Banchero at his best.

It’s a similar story when it comes to the Los Angeles Clippers vs. Dallas Mavericks game, in which the visitors from California need to make it 3-3 tonight. For that, they need James Harden back in top shape.

---

Cavaliers vs. Magic

How to Watch

• When: Friday, May 3, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. ET
• Where: Kia Center, Orlando, Florida
• Channel: ESPN

---

Prop Pick

The Orlando Magic need to win this game to make it 3-3 in the series. The good news for them is that Game 6 is played on their turf. They won each of their last six games played at Kia Center. This includes two games of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Obviously, they can beat the Cavs, but only if their best players are 100% focused. Given the importance of Game 6, we think it’s very likely Orlando’s best player Paolo Banchero is going to have a good game.

Have been blown away by how quickly Paolo Banchero has become comfortable in the postseason. pic.twitter.com/Kry6h60gtY

— Jason Timpf (@_JasonLT) May 1, 2024

He scored 39 points in Game 5, which is his highest-scoring performance since January 3 when he scored 41 against the Sacramento Kings. But that game had two extra times; this one did not.

Sure, he might not score 39 again, but we can see him go over 24.5, which is the points margin set by bookies.

NBA Player Prop	Odds
Paolo Banchero Over 24.5 Points	-115

---

Clippers vs. Mavericks

How to Watch

• When: Friday, May 3, 2024, at 9:30 p.m. ET
• Where: American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas
• Channel: ESPN

---

Prop Pick

The Dallas Mavericks have a chance to seal the deal with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers this evening. They’re 3-2 up in the series, with a blowout win in the previous game. They beat the Clippers 123-93 in LA two days ago in a game in which the hosts played horribly.

One of the Clippers’ biggest stars, James Harden, scored just 7 points that evening. That’s kind of embarrassing for a guy who was averaging more than 30 points per game during his Houston Rocket days.

READ ALSO: UFC 301: Alexandre Pantoja vs. Steve Erceg Prediction, Odds, and Picks (May 4)

He needs to do better this time to at least give his team a fighting chance against the Mavs. Bookies have set his margin to 21 points, and we think he’s got to cover it.

NBA Player Prop	Odds
James Harden Over 19.5 Points	-116