The Knicks and Pacers will meet for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night, and we're focusing on some key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances in tonight's crucial playoff matchup.
Continue below for my NBA player props for Sunday, May 25.
NBA Player Props for Sunday, May 25
- Cameron Payne Under 2.5 Points (-160, BetMGM)
- Mitchell Robinson Over 8.5 Rebounds (-134, Bet Rivers) / Series Rebounds Leader (+1100, DraftKings)
Cameron Payne Under 2.5 Points
Knicks vs. Pacers, 8:00 p.m. ET
Cameron Payne should be shelved, but Thibs is Thibs, so I doubt it.
Regardless, even when he scores, you're likely not getting above 10 or so minutes.
Payne has played 10 or more minutes in 2-of-14 playoff games and has scored over 2.5 points just twice, including Game 1 of this series.
But defensively, this isn't the series for him. He shouldn't be playing.
Even at his best, he's liable to score six or more points and be targeted enough defensively to give it right back. In the event he plays minimally, or sits entirely, I like his under.
Hopefully we'll get Delon Wright minutes instead.
Pick: Cameron Payne Under 2.5 Points (-160 Bet MGM)
Mitchell Robinson Over 8.5 Rebounds
Knicks vs. Pacers, 8:00 p.m. ET
Mitchell Robinson could start, per Ian Begley.
But even if he doesn't, expect big minutes.
Robinson has recorded eight and nine rebounds in this series, and is averaging 8.5, sitting behind Karl-Anthony Towns (19) and Josh Hart (19) — his two unplayable Game 2 teammates — with 17 this series.
No, KAT and Hart won't always be as rough as they were in Game 2.
Hart, in particular, is someone who should be more impactful this series, and I have a +500 future for him to lead the series in boards.
But Robinson at +1,100 is kind of insane. Yes, he's a potential injury risk with increased minutes.
Yes, he's unlikely to play 40 whether he starts or comes off the bench — his season-high is 33 — the only game this year with 30 or more. And yes, KAT is a deserved favorite.
But KAT and Jalen Brunson allow 1.5 points per possession when together on the floor. The Knicks coaching staff has to be aware of KAT being picked on defensively — along with Brunson — hence the flirtation with starting Robinson.
This is trending toward a potential Robinson double-digit rebound game, and I think beyond Game 3, he's live for series rebounds leader if we're going to get 30+ minutes — he had 29 last game.
Improving his free-throw shooting could help keep him on the floor longer.
Pick: Mitchell Robinson Over 8.5 Rebounds (-134 Bet Rivers) | Series Rebounds Leader (+1100 on DraftKings)
