The first round of the NBA Playoffs shifts to Atlanta this Thursday, April 23, as the New York Knicks (1-1) and Atlanta Hawks (1-1) look to break their series deadlock in a pivotal Game 3 at State Farm Arena.
In a game as meaningful as this one, we aren't just looking for standard lines — we’re looking for the "ceiling" performances. That’s where the ladder pick comes in. If you think a player might go way over their line, you bet their standard over, then "ladder" up into alternate territories (25+, 30+, 35+) for a higher payout.
Today, I'm targeting the Knicks' leading rebounder for the series: Josh Hart.
NBA Alternate Line Picks for Knicks vs Hawks
- Josh Hart Over 7.5 Rebounds (-150)
- Josh Hart to Record 10+ Rebounds (+124)
- Josh Hart to Record 12+ Rebounds (+320)
Josh Hart Over 7.5 Rebounds (-150) | 10+ (+124) | 12+ (+320)
It’s hard not to go chalk here, but Josh Hart has had 13 and 14 rebounds in the previous two games during this series.
We thought Karl-Anthony Towns would feast on the boards, and he still might, but Hart has 27 boards to Towns’ 16 — and yet, his base line is still listed at 7.5 or 8.5, depending on the book.
A bunch of my colleagues are on this prop in some form tonight, too.
Hart is playing big minutes (37 and 35 in Games 1 and 2) and taking advantage of the Hawks pulling Towns away from the rim defensively by spacing their offense out and using Onyeka Okongwu (among others) to restrict Towns’ rebounding opportunities.
You also have, on occasion, Jonathan Kuminga just beating Towns to rebounds, and even boxing him out down the stretch of the Game 2 fourth quarter.
I like Hart to continue cashing in on the boards, with a ladder to 10+ boards, and I’ll throw out 12+ in here too for those of you who think he’ll have that a third-straight game of such rebounding success.
Fonseca's Prop Ladder for Tonight
- Josh Hart Over 7.5 Rebounds (-150)
Josh Hart to Record 10+ Rebounds (+124)
Josh Hart to Record 12+ Rebounds (+320)
