As the NBA Playoffs continue to heat up, Thursday’s action draws heavy betting interest. Using fresh data from BetMGM, we break down the most popular bets and player props shaping the market. Whether you’re looking for value picks or want to ride with the public, this report will help guide your strategy for Thursday’s postseason matchups.
Most Popular NBA Playoff Bets by Ticket Volume
Public bettors are rallying behind a few key sides for Thursday’s slate. Here are the most bet team wagers by ticket count at BetMGM:
- Oklahoma City Thunder -9.5: The Thunder are commanding attention as sizable favorites, with bettors backing their dominant form against an injury-depleted Grizzlies squad.
- Detroit Pistons -102 (Moneyline): A notable lean on the Pistons as slight underdogs, perhaps driven by matchup-based value or fading the Knicks on the road.
- New York Knicks -1.5: Despite action on Detroit, the Knicks are still getting love from the public, thanks to their gritty, playoff-style defense.
- Denver Nuggets +180 (Moneyline): Bettors are seeing plus-money value on the defending champs to pull off the upset.
- Denver Nuggets +5.5: The Nuggets also draw interest at the spread, with a belief they’ll at least keep things tight.
These bets reflect public sentiment and potentially signal sharp movement to watch ahead of tip-off.
Most Bet Player Props: Pistons vs. Knicks
Thursday’s Pistons-Knicks game is a magnet for player prop action. Here are the top trending props:
- Karl-Anthony Towns over 21.5 points (-135)
- Karl-Anthony Towns over 24.5 points + assists (-130)
- Karl-Anthony Towns under 11.5 rebounds (-130)
Towns is dominating the prop market with bettors split on scoring upside but fading his rebounding against a physical Knicks frontcourt. - Jalen Duren under 11.5 rebounds (-135)
- Cade Cunningham under 8.5 assists (-120)
Detroit’s young stars are being bet heavily to the under, reflecting expectations of a defensive slugfest.
Most Bet Player Props: Thunder vs. Grizzlies
Prop action is surging in this Western Conference matchup, particularly on role players and rookie standouts:
- Desmond Bane under 21.5 points (-140)
Bettors are fading Bane against the Thunder’s strong perimeter defense. - Chet Holmgren over 1.5 three-pointers (-135)
- Chet Holmgren under 9.5 rebounds (-145)
Expect Holmgren to stretch the floor, but public confidence in his rebounding against the Grizzlies’ size is low. - Zach Edey under 20.5 points/rebounds/assists (-150)
There is a consensus that Edey will struggle across the stat sheet in his playoff debut. - Alex Caruso over 6.5 points (-120)
A savvy veteran pick, Caruso’s props continue to draw sharp interest.
Most Bet Player Props: Clippers vs. Nuggets
This marquee matchup is loaded with player prop value, especially around stars and key rotational players:
- Kawhi Leonard over 3.5 assists (-160)
A high-confidence bet that Leonard will facilitate more under playoff pressure. - Nikola Jokic over 1.5 three-pointers (-155)
Jokic’s perimeter threat is real, and bettors are leaning into his expanded offensive arsenal. - Kris Dunn under 6.5 points (-115)
- Norman Powell over 20.5 points/rebounds/assists (-135)
- Aaron Gordon under 15.5 points (-125)
These props indicate confidence in Powell’s workload while expecting a quieter offensive game from Gordon.
Betting Trends and Takeaways
- Underdog Appeal: Bettors are jumping on plus-money plays like the Nuggets and Pistons.
- Unders Dominating: Defensive matchups and playoff pace steer prop bettors toward the under in multiple categories.
- Star Power Focus: Major bets are clustering around elite talents like Towns, Jokic, and Kawhi, where usage is expected to spike.
Final Thoughts
Thursday’s NBA Playoff slate offers sharp betting angles and high public engagement. Whether you want to follow the crowd or fade popular positions, these BetMGM insights provide a competitive edge. Stay on top of injury news and late line movement to fine-tune your wagers and remember to bet responsibly.
New to sports betting? First, explore our Introduction to Sports Betting. Then check out our recommendations at Flip The Switch for online sportsbooks, along with offers to get started. And if you’re not an avid sports fan, you can still find some fun and unusual bets to enjoy!
