The Knicks and Timberwolves hold controlling 2-0 leads in their conference semifinal series against the Pacers and Nuggets, respectively. Indiana and Denver are in must-win situations, as no NBA team has ever come back from down 3-0.
With all of the star power on the floor playing aggressively in must-win playoff games, there are some great OVER lines to consider for NBA player prop wagers. There may be an UNDER or two to look at, too, especially with a team like the Knicks pretty banged up right now. Here are some of our favorite player props for the Friday night NBA playoff slate.
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Best player prop odds, picks for Knicks vs. Pacers Game 3
Here are our favorite player props for Knicks vs. Pacers Game 3. Odds are via BetMGM.
Tyrese Haliburton OVER 33.5 points + rebounds + assists
Tyrese Haliburton has developed into a superstar for the Indiana Pacers this season, taking an overlooked squad into the playoffs and the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers' backs are against the wall, though, down 2-0, but they are now back home for Game 3. Some believe a playoff series doesn't start until a home team loses a game. Tonight, Game 3 has to be considered a must-win for the Pacers because no NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit.
Haliburton must have a star performance like he did in Game 2, but he will need to be better in crunch time. Haliburton promised to be more aggressive in Game 2 after only producing 6 points in Game 1. He delivered, scoring 34 points with nine assists and six rebounds. That is a combined 49 points, rebounds and assists. Expect a similar output tonight.
Josh Hart OVER 36.5 points + rebounds + assists
The Knicks are banged up. They have been missing Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson for the entire postseason, OG Anunoby for Game 3 and now Jalen Brunson is a game-time decision. That means the Knicks will continue to look at role players like Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart to step up.
Hart has been up to the task, playing at least 43 minutes in every game and all 48 in Games 1 and 2 of this series. He has been putting up crazy rebounding numbers for a 6-foot-4 guard, averaging 12.8 a game in the postseason. Add in his 5.3 assists and 18 points a game, and we expect Hart to go OVER 36.5 points, rebounds and assists.
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Best player prop odds, picks for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 3
Here are our favorite player prop plays for Nuggets vs. Timberwolves Game 3. Odds are via BetMGM.
Nikola Jokic OVER 50.5 points + rebounds + assists
Nikola Jokic won his third MVP, but his Nuggets squad face their biggest challenge in the past two seasons. Denver is down 2-0 to Minnesota, and they travel to the Timberwolves for Games 3 and 4.
Jokic averaged a combined 54.2 points, assists and rebounds in Denver's first-round series against the Lakers. He is only averaging 44.5 through the first two games against the Timberwolves. He averaged 47.8 in the regular season, so he has not played to his standard in the first two games. With the season on the line, expect Jokic to play 40-plus minutes and to be more aggressive early.
Jamal Murray OVER 20.5 points
Jamal Murray has been in the headlines for all of the wrong reasons over the last few days. He was fined six-figures for throwing a heating pad on the floor in Game 2, and he has not played well in the series against Minnesota so far.
Murray hit two game-winners and averaged 23.6 PPG in the first round of the playoffs. He only has 25 total points in the first two games of the Western Conference semifinals. Murray is a primetime performer — expect him to let his play do the talking in Game 3, scoring at least 25 and possibly going for 30-plus.
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