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SportsLine model identifies three key player prop angles for Wednesday's NBA Playoff action

The SportsLine Projection Model highlights specific statistical outcomes for Wembanyama, Anunoby and Gobert ahead of Game 2 contests

Author
Adrian Cole
Political Correspondent
Published
Draft
Source: CBS Sports · original

                        NBA player prop picks, odds: Three best 2026 NBA Playoffs prop bets for Wednesday, May 6
Analytics firm projects regression for Spurs star and increased workload for Knicks forward in upcoming matchups

The 2026 NBA Playoffs are set to feature two critical second-round encounters on Wednesday, May 6, with the San Antonio Spurs hosting the Minnesota Timberwolves and the New York Knicks facing the Philadelphia 76ers. Amidst the high-stakes atmosphere, SportsLine experts and their projection model have isolated three specific player prop bets that analysts believe offer the most value for wagering on the day.

The primary focus of the analysis is on Spurs centre Victor Wembanyama, who enters Game 2 following a historic performance in the opening contest where he recorded 12 blocks to break the NBA postseason single-game record. Despite this dominant defensive display, the SportsLine Projection Model forecasts a significant statistical regression, predicting that Wembanyama will stay under his 4.5 blocks total. The model cites his recent home game history, noting he has posted four unders in his last five home matches, and forecasts an average of 2.9 blocks for the upcoming fixture.

In the matchup between the Knicks and the 76ers, SportsLine NBA expert Mike Barner recommends backing forward OG Anunoby to exceed his 22.5 points plus rebounds total. Barner's assessment relies on the expectation that Anunoby will see an increase in playing time in Game 2, contrasting with his limited three-quarter stint in the first game against a blowout opponent. The expert points to Anunoby's playoff averages of 21.0 points and 7.9 rebounds, alongside his ability to score 22 or more points in three of his past five games, as justification for the projection.

Conversely, the model suggests that Timberwolves centre Rudy Gobert will remain under his points and rebounds total. While Gobert contributed four steals and one block in Game 1, his offensive output has been constrained, averaging only 6.1 shot attempts per game over the first seven playoff contests. The analysis identifies the difficult defensive matchup against Wembanyama as the primary factor limiting Gobert's scoring contributions, with the model anticipating he will continue to provide minimal points in this specific contest.

The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, has established a strong track record of profitability over the past eight-plus seasons. The system entered the second round of the 2026 playoffs on a 26-9 roll regarding top-rated spread picks, a statistic that underpins the confidence placed in these specific player prop recommendations for Wednesday's slate.

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