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Best NBA prop bets today for Lakers vs. Grizzlies Game 5 (How to bet LeBron James)

By Peter Dewey

Apr 19, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first half during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) dribbles during the first half during game two of the 2023 NBA playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Los Angeles Lakers have a chance to close out the Memphis Grizzlies in Game 5 after winning in overtime in Game 4.

Memphis went 35-6 at home in the regular season, and the team is slightly favored in this game.

For Lakers fans, getting to a 3-1 lead is huge, as teams are 258-13 with a 3-1 lead in the history of the NBA playoffs. LeBron James is one of the players to erase a 3-1 deficit and win from his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Speaking of LeBron, I love a couple plays for him in the prop market in Game 5, as well as one for rising star Austin Reaves. Let’s break them down:

Lakers vs. Grizzlies best NBA prop bets

  • Austin Reaves OVER 3.5 Rebounds
  • LeBron James UNDER 27.5 Points
  • LeBron James OVER 15.5 Assists and Rebounds

Austin Reaves OVER 3.5 Rebounds

Austin Reaves has been great on the glass since the play-in tournament, picking up six, three, five, six and four boards in his postseason games.

Darvin Ham is playing Reaves all the minutes he can handle, including 35+ in the last three games in the series.

The Lakers guard has earned it with his play, and as long as he’s on the floor for that long, he’s a great bet to grab four boards or more for the fifth time in six games.

LeBron James UNDER 27.5 Points

LeBron James hasn’t needed to dominate games scoring wise for the Lakers to win, mainly because he’s doing everything else.

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer has cleared this line just once in this series (28 points in Game 2), and he’s struggled shooting the 3 (5-for-27 this series) which has limited his ceiling as a scorer.

LeBron could always have a game where he goes off scoring, but despite taking over 19.0 shots per game he’s fallen short of this three times in this series. With the UNDER on the total hitting in multiple matchups this series, I’ll fade LeBron as a scorer here.

LeBron James OVER 15.5 Assists and Rebounds

Don’t think I’m only fading LeBron though!

After grabbing 20 rebounds in Game 4, James’ rebounds and assists prop is set at 15.5 for Game 5.

He’s put up 16, 15, 14 and 27 assists and rebounds through his first four games this series, and he finally had his best assist game (seven dimes) in Game 4.

As long as he keeps grabbing double-digit boards, LeBron is a great bet to go OVER this number.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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