We have two NBA props for this Friday, and our staff of basketball betting experts is focused on key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances in Game 6 between the Celtics and Knicks tonight.
Continue below for my NBA player props for Friday, May 16.
NBA Player Props for Friday, May 16
Derrick White Over 20.5 Points
Celtics vs. Knicks, 8:00 p.m. ET
Derrick White's Usage spiked to 26.6% in Game 5, compared to his full-season average of about 20%. This is aligned with his Usage throughout the season without Jayson Tatum (23.9%).
White can create off-ball as a spot-up shooter or on-ball as a shot-creator. He dropped 34 against the Knicks in Game 5, who had zero answers.
White has played well against New York this series on high volume. He's taken at least 10 shots in every game so far.
I expect White to continue this strong play with extended minutes and another usage bump in a win-or-go-home scenario.
Pick: Derrick White Over 20.5 Points (-120, BetMGM)
Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points
Celtics vs. Knicks, 8:00 p.m. ET
Shockingly, Jalen Brunson fouled out of Game 5, picking up an absurd five fouls in the third quarter.
Despite the foul trouble, he scored 22 points, which sliced about eight minutes off his Playoff rotation.
Brunson has continuously stepped up after a Knicks' loss. In the game after Brunson's last 11 playoff losses (excluding the broken hand game), the Knicks are 9-2, and he scored 30-plus points in nine, including 39 in Game 4 against the Celtics. He is averaging 34.5 points per game in those contests.
With more Luke Kornet, Brunson should be able to attack the Celtics' drop defense. Furthermore, if he's able to put Al Horford in more actions, then he can tire out one of their primary interior defensive players.
I expect the Captain to put the team and the City on his back.
Pick: Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points (-110, BetMGM)
