With four minutes remaining in the third quarter of the Boston Celtics’ eventual Game 3 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, Jaylen Brown registered his 19th, 20th, and 21st points with a converted three-point play.
He scored just two points in the remaining 16 minutes — two free throws in the final seconds — but the game’s first 32 minutes must’ve been enough to convince BetMGM bettors to pound the over on Brown’s scoring total for Game 4.
Two days later, the Over for Brown was 24.5 points. It was the third-most-popular prop bet side for the game, behind only Joel Embiid Over 27.5 points and James Harden Over 20.5 points.
Brown scored just three points in the final 17 minutes of regulation and five minutes of overtime to finish with 23 points, his third game with exactly 23 points in the series. But, again, that must’ve been enough to convince BetMGM bettors to pound the Over on his scoring total for Game 5.
As of Tuesday morning, no Game 5 prop-bet side is more popular than the Over on 24.5 points for Brown.
Here are the most popular prop bets (by tickets) for tonight’s game:
Jaylen Brown: Over 24.5 Points
Brown averaged 32.7 points over the final three games of the first round, scoring at least 30 points in consecutive playoff games for the first time in his career.
He had a usage rate of at least 25% in each of those three games, including at least 30 in the final two games. And while the rate was north of 30% in Games 2 and 3 against the Sixers, it was just 18.4% in Game 1 and 20% in Game 4. Those are his two lowest rates in the postseason since 2020.
Malcolm Brogdon: Over 14.5 Points
This is the first time this postseason any Malcolm Brogdon prop bet has been among a game’s three most-popular sides. It comes after he exploded for 13 second-quarter points en route to 19 total points in Game 4.
Brodgon has scored at least 15 points in the last five postseason games. And even in the four previous games — Games 2 through 5 in the first round — he still scored at least 14 points each game, including 17 twice.
Jayson Tatum: Over 14.5 Rebounds
Before his 18-rebound game on Sunday, Jayson Tatum hadn’t registered more than 14 rebounds in a game since March 11. And that was one of just two 15-rebound games all season.
None of Tatum’s 18 boards came in overtime. He had all 18 in the first 45 minutes of the eventual 53-minute game.
You can view all available prop bets and more NBA odds at the BetMGM online sportsbook.