The 2026 NBA Playoffs formally start on Saturday with the play-in match full and a four-game slate all through the day. Many of the league’s prime stars will probably be in motion, together with Nikola Jokic, Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Kevin Durant and LeBron James, leaving loads of star energy as choices for NBA prop betting on Saturday. With the postseason comes elevated minutes and utilization charges for most of the league’s best, and with that, the SportsLine Projection Model is backing among the league’s largest stars to have some vital scoring totals. The mannequin is backing each Brunson and Durant to go Over their scoring totals for Saturday NBA player props.
However, the mannequin can be fading one of many league’s largest stars of all-time, backing James’ Under 25.5 factors for Lakers vs. Rockets at 8:30 p.m. ET when (*18*) Saturday NBA player prop bets. James averaged 22 factors in three contests in opposition to the Rockets this season, failing to even attain 20 factors in two of the three video games. Before locking in Saturday NBA prop picks and different NBA bets on betting sites like FanDuel or DraftKings, you’ll want to check out top picks from the proven computer model at SportsLine.
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The SportsLine Projection Model simulates each NBA recreation 10,000 occasions and has returned properly over $10,000 in betting revenue for $100 gamers on its top-rated NBA picks over the previous eight-plus seasons. The mannequin entered the 2026 NBA playoffs on a scorching 23-9 roll (72%) on top-rated NBA unfold picks this season. Anyone following its NBA betting recommendation at sportsbooks and on betting apps may have seen big returns.
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Top NBA player prop picks on Saturday
- Jalen Brunson, Knicks, Over 26.5 factors
- Kevin Durant, Rockets, Over 24.5 factors (replace: Durant is out with a knee damage)
- LeBron James, Lakers, Under 25.5 factors
Jalen Brunson, Knicks, Over 26.5 factors
Brunson was tenth within the league in scoring at 26 factors per recreation this season, however he went Over this whole in two of his final three video games coming into the playoffs. However, a major motive the mannequin favors this choose stems from Brunson’s playoff historical past in New York. Brunson averaged 29.4 ppg in 18 playoff video games final 12 months after averaging 32.4 ppg (13 video games) and 27.8 ppg (11 video games) the 2 years earlier than through the playoffs. He went Over this whole in 11 of 18 playoff video games final 12 months, together with six of 9 video games at Madison Square Garden. The mannequin initiatives Brunson to achieve 30 factors once more Saturday, projecting the star guard for 30.3 factors.
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Kevin Durant, Rockets, Over 24.5 factors
Update: Durant has been dominated out with a knee damage. Durant was tied with Brunson at 26 ppg this season, and he went Over this whole in three of his remaining 4 regular-season video games. Durant is enjoying in his first playoff recreation in his first season with the Rockets, however the future Hall of Famer has been an elite postseason scorer all through his profession. Durant averages 29.3 factors in 170 playoff video games over his profession. He’s averaged greater than 26 ppg in every of his 13 postseason appearances. The mannequin expects that to proceed, projecting Durant for 27.1 factors.
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LeBron James, Lakers, Under 25.5 factors
The Lakers are going to want the 41-year-old LeBron James to be Superman to advance previous the Rockets, with Luka Doncic (hamstring) and Austin Reaves (indirect) out to no less than start the sequence. That places a major quantity of the scoring strain on James although, and meaning the Rockets can dedicate much more of their defensive recreation plan towards irritating the elder statesman. The Rockets had the No. 4 scoring protection within the NBA this season, permitting 110 factors per recreation, and James went Under this whole in two of three video games in opposition to the Rockets. James averaged 22 factors in opposition to Houston and 20.9 ppg total this season. The mannequin initiatives James for 22.2 factors
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Want extra NBA picks for Saturday?
You’ve seen among the SportsLine mannequin’s prime NBA player props for Saturday. Now, see the mannequin’s full projections at SportsLine. You can only see the model’s picks here.
