As the NBA Playoffs heat up, Friday night brings a pivotal Game 6 showdown between the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets, with the Lakers aiming to close out the series on the road. All eyes will be on Lakers center Deandre Ayton, who has been a force in recent losses, notching double-doubles in both Games 4 and 5. After posting an impressive 18 points and 17 rebounds in the last outing, Ayton's prop line for total points sits at 11.5 on FanDuel. According to the SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every game 10,000 times, Ayton is projected to finish with 15.3 points, making this a standout pick among Friday's best NBA prop bets.

Meanwhile, the Detroit Pistons are facing off against the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. ET, and guard Ausar Thompson is drawing attention for his rebounding prowess. The 23-year-old has been on a tear, grabbing eight or more rebounds in each of his last four meetings with the Magic. His over/under for total rebounds is set at 6.5, but with teammate Tobias Harris listed as questionable due to an ankle injury, Thompson could see even more opportunities on the glass. "Thompson has recorded seven, eight, eight, nine, and 15 boards in this series," notes SportsLine expert Larry Hartstein. "If Harris is limited or out, that puts even more of a rebounding burden on Thompson."

The SportsLine Projection Model has a proven track record, generating over $10,000 in betting profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past eight-plus seasons. Entering the second full week of the 2026 playoffs, the model is on a hot 25-9 run (74%) on top-rated spread picks. For fans looking to elevate their game-day experience—whether you're tracking stats in your favorite team jersey or settling in for the action—these prop bets offer a thrilling way to stay engaged. Remember, always bet responsibly and enjoy the playoff intensity!