The NBA playoffs are always wild, wacky and filled with knife-cuttable drama. With players putting everything on the line in an attempt to bask in championship glory, the pressure-packed games are tremendously fun to wager on. As a result, the sportsbooks offer many creative ways to enhance the action. What are Brad’s favorite prop plays in 76ers vs. Knicks on Saturday? Check out his juicy SGP below.
The pick — SGP: Knicks ML; Jalen Brunson 20+ points, 5+ assists, 1+ steal (+170, BetMGM)
BetMGM offers:
Inside the Mecca, a fevered pitch is about to get underway. Even basketball enthusiast and adored curmudgeon Larry David is probably ecstatic about the Knicks’ playoff chances, albeit with a twinge of reluctance.
In Game 1 against East Coast rival Philadelphia, New York is aiming to make a strong opening statement. For that to happen, its baller supreme — Brunson — must invigorate the masses.
Exchanging pleasantries four times with Philly in the regular season, the Knicks emerged victorious three times. In those entanglements, Brunson reached the needed feats in two of those contests, averaging 22.3 points, 7.8 assists and 1.0 steals.
The 76ers enter the postseason somewhat wounded. Still, in the regular season, they finished No. 11 in defensive rating, surrendering 1.130 points per possession. They allowed the league’s sixth-lowest three-point percentage (35.4%), ranked No. 2 in fewest opponent points off turnovers and toed the top 10 in field-goal percentage yielded (46.8%). In their last 15 regular-season games, they also slid inside the top 11 in points per game allowed (106.7, sixth), assists per game allowed (26.3, 11th), steals per game allowed (6.4, fifth).
Sixers star center Joel Embiid is listed as questionable. However, he’s sure to play 30-plus minutes in the series opener.
It may not be the greatest on-paper matchup, but pluck one of the many phones velcroed to Brunson’s jacket, fire up the sportsbook app and make the play. Even Curb’s beloved son should leave MSG adorning a joyous smile.
NBA postseason record: 3-3, +0.10 units