We have a total of two NBA props for this Thursday, and I'll be focusing on a pair of key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and Knicks tonight.
Continue below for my NBA player props for Thursday, May 29.
NBA Player Props for Thursday, May 29
- Tyrese Haliburton Over 9.5 Assists (-125)
- Josh Hart Over 18.5 Points + Rebounds (-114)
Tyrese Haliburton Over 9.5 Assists (-125)
Pacers vs. Knicks, 8:00 p.m. ET
Going right back to this prop in Game 5 on Thursday.
Tyrese Haliburton just had 15 assists last game.
He has recorded double digit assists in three of four games in this series, and did it in every win.
I think the Pacers can close here, looking back at their history in these playoffs, but it's not a given that his assists will prevent the Knicks from staving off elimination.
In any event, Indiana is focused, and I have confidence that, even if they do lose, Rick Carlisle will have them ready, and the Pacers have out-executed the Knicks for much of this series.
Haliburton will continue to push the pace and wear out the Knicks defense, exploiting the lineup concerns many Knick fans have, and it's possible Tom Thibodeau even shortens the Knicks rotation with the season on the line, because those would be his old-school instincts, which would work in Indiana's favor.
A desperate Knicks team doesn't kill this play, unless the game fails to be competitive.
Pick: Tyrese Haliburton Over 9.5 Assists (-125)
Josh Hart Over 18.5 Points + Rebounds (-114)
Pacers vs. Knicks, 8:00 p.m. ET
Josh Hart played terribly last game, but he still logged 36 minutes.
Him being off the bench doesn't matter. He's played 34+ minutes in all but one game this series, and that one game was marred by foul trouble.
There's one guy on the Knicks who I'm not worried about in a possible bounce-back spot, and that's Jalen Brunson.
To be honest, Hart might be second, on sheer effort.
His rebounding is what I feel better about, but the points could come as well, as long as he actually takes shots, drives, cuts and gets to the line; all of which he typically does, at least a little bit.
In this series, he's gone over 18.5 Points + Rebounds twice, and he finished with 18 in Game 3.
I like this more as a bounce-back spot for the team, but this should also be one for Hart individually.
Pick: Josh Hart Over 18.5 Points + Rebounds (-114)
