LeBron James Stat Predictions: Ranking the top prop picks for the Lakers-Pelicans in the 2024 Play-In Game

Yes, the Lakers are participating in the play-in tournament. No, that is not so. LeBron James isn't fixated on making another playoff run in search of his fifth ring – aside from the Lakers' NBA title chances.

It's no secret that James has accomplished some of the most improbable feats in NBA basketball history. Now he has his sights set on another first, trying to help the Lakers become the first NBA Play-In Tournament team to win the NBA Finals. First, he has to help LA beat the Pelicans on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET, TNT, Sling).

MORE: Updated playoff series | Play-In Predictions

Winning it all as the seventh or eighth seed may seem like a lofty goal, but King James has never overcome a challenge too great for him. The modern GOAT led Los Angeles to its first NBA Cup earlier this season after opening the in-season tournament at +1400 odds. He also helped Cleveland win its first major championship in 2016 after overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the Finals against Steph Curry and the Warriors.

The Lakers' battle against the Pelicans should be must-see television and we can't wait to get in on the action with some bets. Here are our favorite LeBron player props on BetMGM for Tuesday night's contest, ranked by bet value and win probability.

LeBron James Stat Predictions: Ranking the Top Prop Picks

LeBron James Points – OVER 26.5 (-110)

The NBA's all-time leading scorer dropped 30 points in the Lakers' 2023 play-in tournament win over Minnesota and recently told reporters that he feels better today than he did before LA's run to the 2023 Western Conference Finals.

That's good news because his teammate and expected All-NBA running mate Anthony Davis is dealing with back, hip and eye problems. AD has said he will be 100 percent on Tuesday in New Orleans, but we expect Bron to do much of the heavy lifting against the Pels.

When these teams faced off on the final day of the regular season, Bron dropped an easy 28 points. This season he averaged 28.3 points per game on an incredible shooting distribution of 55.1/60.0/93.3. Smash the OVER with confidence.

MORE: Could Lakers' loss to Pels be a blessing?

LeBron James assists – OVER 8.5 (-150)

LBJ collected 15 assists against the Pelicans on Sunday…in the first half. He finished the season with a season-high 17 dimes, twice the over/under projection. In the Lakers' four regular season games against NOLA, he averaged 11.6 assists per game.

We just have to go for OVER here, even if -150 feels a bit heavy. His feel for the game and his ability to control the rhythm of LA's offense against New Orleans make this prop too intriguing to pass up.

MORE: Latest on Anthony Davis' back, hips

LeBron James Recovers – OVER 7.5 (-135)

Just as Shaq used to play great defense and hit free throws in the biggest games, LeBron crashes the boards when the stakes are highest. He has recorded double-digit rebounds in each of the Lakers' last two play-in tournament games and hit 11 boards Sunday against the Pels. We like this almost as much as the assists prop.

LeBron James Threes – OVER 1.5 (-145)

James shot a career-best 41 percent from distance this season and made 2.1 three-pointers per game. His reach helps create space for the Lakers and also allows him to score points without putting too much strain on his 39-year-old body. Expect Bron to hit at least two triples on Tuesday.

MORE: Bron, AD among Steph Noh's All-NBA picks

LeBron James steals – OVER 1.5 (+130)

If you're dead set on betting a LeBron defense OVER, bet on him getting more than two steals. He has committed nine steals in LA's last three games, including five on Sunday against the Pels. He has now recorded more than two steals in four of his last five games, and we expect his defensive intensity to only improve in the play-in.