Despite being down 14 points in the second quarter, the Knicks rallied for a 105-95 victory in Game 1 to snatch away home-court advantage. Jalen Brunson led the way, scoring 13 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter. However, the Knicks also received key contributions from Landry Shamet and Mitchell Robinson off the bench.
Dylan Harper also made a significant contribution off the bench for the Spurs, but Mitch Johnson may regret not playing him more. Harper, Shamet and Robinson are three players that I have my eye on in Game 2.
Let's get into my NBA Finals same game parlay strategy guide for Knicks vs. Spurs Game 2 on Friday, June 5.
NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Knicks vs Spurs Game 2
The Angle: Role Players Impact Game 2
Dylan Harper Over 17.5 Points & Rebounds
De'Aaron Fox may be still gutting through his high ankle sprain, but he has been ineffective over the last six games.
In that span, he is averaging 10.5 points per game while shooting 34% from the field and 19% from three. He is still playing over 30 minutes a game, and because he is both San Antonio's max player and the veteran in their starting lineup, I don't see his minutes being cut too much.
So instead of fading him, I prefer to back Dylan Harper to continue to be effective in his minutes.
On Wednesday, I backed Harper for his rebounds-and-assists line, and it cashed easily as he had seven in the first half before finishing with nine. Most of his work came on the glass, as he had eight rebounds.
Harper has averaged 6.3 rebounds and 10.4 rebound chances over his last 10 games, recording five or more in eight of those games.
Harper also scored 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting from the field. He has scored 12 points in seven of his last 10 games and 15 points in four of them.
Harper is one of the best finishers at the rim for a rookie that we have seen in a long time, and he had his way with the smaller Knicks guards in Game 1. I would expect that to continue tonight.
Harper has recorded 18 PR in six of his last 10 games, and he has had 19 or more in each of the last three. However, he offers even more value by playing his points and rebounds separately.
Pick: Dylan Harper Over 17.5 Points & Rebounds
Landry Shamet Over 1.5 Threes Made
Landry Shamet put on one of the best shooting displays we have seen in a series when he went 11-for-12 (91.7%) from three in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Despite the nine-day layoff, he stayed hot in Game 1, knocking down three of his six 3-point attempts. He has made two 3s or more in six of his last seven games and three 3s in five of them.
Shamet is shooting 58.5% from three in the playoffs. His long-range proficiency has also earned him more minutes, as he has averaged 21.4 minutes over his last seven games, up from 15 minutes per game earlier in the playoffs.
He played 33 minutes in Game 1 and even got closing minutes over Mikal Bridges.
Shamet has been shooting at a rate that is hard to maintain, but if he continues to stay hot, he will not need many attempts to clear this line.
With five or six 3-point attempts, I definitely like his chances, and he may knock down three or more again as well.
Pick: Landry Shamet Over 1.5 Threes Made
Mitchell Robinson Over 5.5 Rebounds
A fractured right pinkie was not enough to keep Mitchell Robinson out of the lineup or off the glass in Game 1. In just 13 minutes, Robinson pulled down six rebounds, but had the opportunity for more as he had 13 rebound chances.
The number 13 has been key for him in the playoffs, as he has recorded six rebounds in eight of nine playoff games when playing 13 minutes or more. He has averaged 6.6 rebounds per game in that span.
Robinson has also been a menace on the glass against the Spurs in general.
Over his last six games against them, he has averaged 10.2 rebounds, including one double-double and four games with 10 rebounds. He has played 20 minutes in just one of those games.
While a lot was made about Robinson's injury considering he is a backup center, it was because he can affect the glass (particularly with offensive rebounds) and has the frame to bother Victor Wembanyama defensively.
He also offers insurance in case Karl-Anthony Towns gets in foul trouble. That did not happen in Game 1, but if Towns commits a few silly fouls again, Robinson will get more minutes and offer the chance to climb his rebounds ladder.
Pick: Mitchell Robinson Over 5.5 Rebounds
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+429)
- Dylan Harper Over 17.5 Points & Rebounds
- Landry Shamet Over 1.5 Made Threes
- Mitchell Robinson Over 5.5 Rebounds
Compounding Angle (+3607)
- Dylan Harper 15+ Points / 6+ Rebounds
- Landry Shamet 3+ Made Threes
- Mitchell Robinson 8+ Rebounds
