Best NBA Prop Bets Today | NBA Player Props, May 16

The NBA kicks off its Conference Finals schedule on Tuesday night with a matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. Just one round separates teams from the NBA Finals, and we have the most intriguing player props to watch!

On the Denver Nugget side, all eyes are on Nikola Jokic to see if he can continue to dominate the paint against a hardy Lakers team. Bruce Brown's scoring output is needed to fulfill a vital role off the bench all season for the Nuggets to earn a Game 1 victory.

Anthony Davis was the best big man of the series against the Golden State Warriors, but he must establish his presence against the Nuggets. And D'Angelo Russell will aim to get his playmaking back on track against a more traditional Nuggets side.

Let's check out the bets!

Los Angeles Lakers vs Denver Nuggets: Best Prop Bets

Nikola Jokic Rebounds Over 13.5 (+100) @ DraftKings Sportsbook

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Nikola Jokic has been brilliant through the NBA Playoffs, and he'll be aiming to maintain his form as he attempts to push his Denver Nuggets to the NBA Playoffs. At DraftKings Sportsbook, Jokic is a +100 to clear 13.5 rebounds when he faces the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals series. As dominant on the boards as he is anywhere else on the court, expect Jokic to maintain his MVP-worthy play.

On the season, Jokic has averaged 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists on 63.2% from the field and 38.3% from three-point range. Through these NBA Playoffs, Jokic has averaged 30.7 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 9.7 assists on 54.9% from the field and 47.5% from beyond the arc. His most recent game saw him contribute 32 points, 12 assists, and ten rebounds on 72.2% from the field.

Aggressive out of the gate, Jokic has cleared 13.5 boards in Game 1 of his last two series, and he projects to do the same on Tuesday night - against a thin Lakers frontcourt, Jokic should have little opposition. A fierce rebounder, Jokic has cleared 13.5 boards in 18 of his 69 regular season appearances. Jokic has also collected 13 or more rebounds in five of his 11 post-season appearances.

Bruce Brown Points Over 11.5 (+105) @ DraftKings Sportsbook

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Bruce Brown may not be the most heralded player on the Denver Nuggets roster, but his production has been crucial to their success. At DraftKings Sportsbook, Brown is a +105 to clear 11.5 points when he faces the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. After scoring consistently through the first two rounds, Brown projects to thrive against the Los Angeles Lakers' pace.

On the season, Brown has averaged 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.4 assists on 48.3% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range. Through the 2023 NBA Playoffs, Brown has averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists on 53.2% from the field and 25.9% from deep. His most recent game saw him contribute 13 points, five rebounds, and one assist on 46.2% from the floor and 25.0% from beyond the arc.

Brown has consistently contributed to the Nuggets, clearing 11.5 points in 41 of his 80 regular games. This year, he scored 12 or more points in six of his 11 post-season appearances. While he hasn't been incredibly accurate from three-point range this post-season, Brown's athleticism and pace have proven enough to make key scoring contributions for the Nuggets.

Anthony Davis Rebounds Under 12.5 (+106) @ FanDuel Sportsbook

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Anthony Davis was essential in the Los Angeles Lakers Conference Semi-Final win over the Golden State Warriors, and he'll need to be similarly productive to earn a place in the NBA Finals. At FanDuel Sportsbook, Davis is a +106 to fall short of 12.5 rebounds when he faces the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Against one of the league's most talented centers Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis will have a challenging series in the paint.

On the season, Davis has averaged 25.9 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 56.3% from the field and 25.7% from three-point range. Through the playoffs, Davis has averaged 21.2 points, 14.1 rebounds, and 2.7 assists on 53.0% from the field and 27.3% from deep. His most recent game saw him contribute 17 points, 20 rebounds, and three assists to close out the Warriors in Game 6 of their Second Round series.

There's no doubting Davis' rebounding ability, as he's cleared 12.5 rebounds in 27 of his 56 regular season appearances. He's also collected 13 or more rebounds in seven of his 12 playoff season matches. But against a Nuggets team that holds opponents to the lowest rebounding numbers in the league, on top of having to contend with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic in the paint, Davis doesn't project to be as successful on the glass in Game 1.

D'Angelo Russell Assists Over 5.5 (+115) @ FanDuel Sportsbook

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D'Angelo Russell was more subdued in his production against the Golden State Warriors than in his First Round series against the Memphis Grizzlies. Still, he projects to return to form against the Denver Nuggets. At FanDuel Sportsbook, Russell is a +115 to clear 5.5 assists when he faces the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals. Given the style of play and Russell's regular season success against the Nuggets, the Lakers point guard projects to be very productive.

On the season, Russell has averaged 17.8 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.0 rebounds on 46.9% from the field and 39.6% from three-point range. Through the NBA Playoffs, Russell has averaged 15.7 points, 5.0 assists, and 3.3 rebounds on 44.5% from the floor and 34.7% from deep. His most recent game saw him contribute 19 points, two rebounds, and one assist on 46.7% from the floor and 28.6% from beyond the arc.

Russell is a capable point guard, clearing 5.5 assists in 44 of his 71 regular-season appearances. Russell has collected six or more assists in just five of his 12 appearances in the playoffs. With a shift back to a halfcourt battle, expect Russell to spend more time playmaking and clear 5.5 assists on Tuesday night.