The first round of the NBA playoffs continue with a trio of Eastern Conference games bettors can choose from, with three teams facing elimination.
If you're not looking forward to watching the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center, I don't know what to tell you. The Knicks should be fuming right now because costly mistakes, missed crucial free throws and missed shots, along with an otherworldly performance from Tyrese Maxey , have shifted the momentum in this series. I'm fascinated to see who emerges victorious in Game 6.
Let's take a closer look at my two best bets from this and my other picks for Thursday.
Josh Hart OVER 30.5 points, rebounds and assists. He has been performing exceptionally well, averaging an impressive 46.4 minutes per game in this series. As a result, Hart has surpassed the 30.5 points, rebounds and assists line in four out of five games. Following their loss in overtime in Game 5, the Knicks will be eager to avoid a Game 7 against the talented 76ers. Considering Hart's average of 13.6 field goal attempts, 20.8 rebound chances and 8.6 potential assists per game in this series, he should have no trouble exceeding this line.
Tyrese Maxey OVER 5.5 first quarter points. His remarkable 46-point performance at Madison Square Garden in Game 5 stunned Knicks fans. Maxey is poised for another strong start at home in Game 6, with the trend in his favor. He has surpassed 5.5 first-quarter points in four out of five games in this series. With
Joel Embiid playing through injury, the 76ers will likely continue to rely on Maxey's scoring prowess, so the trend of his strong first quarters should continue in Game 6.
Ben Sheppard OVER 7.5 points, rebounds and assists . This line caught my attention. He has consistently surpassed it throughout the series, averaging 9.8 points, rebounds and assists in just 17.6 minutes per game. In Game 5, the Bucks were desperate. They dominated loose balls and controlled the pace, which slowed down the Pacers' typically up-tempo offense. With the Pacers seeking to close out the series at home, Sheppard stands to benefit. Interestingly, he has cleared this line in 60% of his past 20 home games.
Projections and Injury Reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
Milwaukee Bucks at Indiana Pacers
East 1st Round - Game 6
6:30 p.m. Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis
Records (Against the Spread)
Bucks: 49-33 (35-47-0)
Pacers: 47-35 (44-36-2)
Line: Pacers (-8.5) Total: 214.5
Money Line: Bucks (+280), Pacers (-350)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 2.3, straight up 57%, 226.9 total points.
Injury Report:
Bucks: Damian Lillard , (GTD - Achilles); Giannis Antetokounmpo , (GTD - Calf); Khris Middleton , (GTD - Ankle); Patrick Beverley , (GTD - Oblique)
Pacers: Tyrese Haliburton , (GTD - Back); Bennedict Mathurin , (OUT - Shoulder)
New York Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers
East 1st Round - Game 6
9 p.m. Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia
Records (Against the Spread)
Knicks: 50-32 (44-37-1)
76ers: 47-35 (48-34-0)
Line: 76ers (-3.5) Total: 200.5
Money Line: Knicks (+125), 76ers (-150)
BPI Projection: 76ers by 2.5, straight up 58%, 208.2 total points.
Injury Report:
Knicks: Mitchell Robinson , (GTD - Ankle); Bojan Bogdanovic , (OUT - Foot); Duane Washington Jr. , (OUT - Knee); Julius Randle , (OUT - Shoulder)
76ers: Joel Embiid , (GTD - Knee); Robert Covington , (OUT - Knee)
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