Let me start off by saying that Damian Lillard is an incredible basketball player. His scoring sense, playmaking ability and knack for making the right decision have catapulted him into the conversation for one of the best guards in the NBA.
But if Lillard was a balloon, he would be ready to pop.
We have already chronicled the public’s love affair with the Trail Blazers to upset the Lakers in the first round. Combine those opinions with the notion that Lillard simply can’t be stopped and we’ve got quite the opportunity here. Lillard’s player prop numbers are through the roof and I’m ready to act.[[ad:athena]]
In tonight’s series opener, Lillard’s point prop is 35.5 (-110), his assist prop is 8.5 (o-125) and he’s -200 to score more points than LeBron James. The only player with a higher prop on today’s board is James Harden at 38.5 points. I feel obligated to inform you that Lillard’s career postseason scoring average is 24.8 points – almost 11 points lower than tonight’s prop.
Sheesh!
Naturally, I took to Twitter to ask the masses what they thought about Lillard tonight.
How many points does Damian Lillard score tonight against the #Lakers?
— Sammy P (@spshoot) August 18, 2020
Over 70 percent of the voters at point of publish have Lillard going over 35.5 points. And I promise you, a small sliver of my followers hail from the great state of Oregon. The betting public is enamored with all things Portland, they’re quick to recall Lillard going bananas in his last six games and clearly, they’ll ride his coattails until their luck runs out.
The Lakers are well rested, focused and ready to do whatever it takes to throw Lillard off his game. I expect them to meet Dame between the rings on defense, drag him through screens on offense and make his supporting cast make big shots. And it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to see LeBron face guarding him in the fourth quarter.
I’m happy to fade the noise. Play on Lillard Under 35.5 points.
