The NBA Playoffs have officially arrived. Today, the Atlanta Hawks (6) visit Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks (3).
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 Karl-Anthony Towns — and as an added bonus, Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
NBA Player Prop Ladders: Alternate Line Picks for Hawks vs Knicks
- Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 Rebounds (-134)
- Karl-Anthony Towns 15 Rebounds (+251)
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 20.5 Points (-123)
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker 25+ Points (+276)
Karl-Anthony Towns Prop Ladder
Karl-Anthony Towns has to take advantage of this matchup on the glass. The Atlanta Hawks are just too small. Onyeka Okongwu has always been considered undersized for a center, at about 6-foot-9, and he’s not exactly elite at the boards.
Towns has had 15 and 12 rebounds with the Knicks against Atlanta. Jalen Johnson is maybe 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds. Mo Gueye is roughly the same. Jock Landale is out.
Towns has no reason not to constantly get his overs on the glass and be the overall rebounds leader in this series.
Action PRO projects Towns for 12.3 rebounds today.
Foul trouble and KAT underperforming are always possible, but that’s why I referred to this as my “you freaking better” bet on Buckets previewing the Game 1s.
Fonseca's Karl-Anthony Towns Prop Ladder for Tonight
- Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 Rebounds (-134)
- Karl-Anthony Towns 15 Rebounds (+251)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker Prop Ladder
As an added bonus, I’m also on Nickeil Alexander-Walker over 20.5 points.
OG Anunoby has to be locked in on Johnson mostly, and otherwise, Walker will see plenty of Mikal Bridges and some combination of Josh Hart, Landry Shamet, Deuce McBride, Jalen Brunson and others, be it on straight-up match-ups, switches, help or other scenarios.
NAW has had 25, 23 and 36 points against New York this season. Action PRO projects him for 20.3 points in this game.
He is prolific from deep, can create his own shot, and he's of enough size to rise and fire over some of the Knicks' guards, providing a combination of tools they’ve struggled to contain on the perimeter consistently.
Fonseca's Nickel Alexander-Walker Prop Ladder for Tonight
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker Over 20.5 Points (-123)
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker 25+ Points (+276)
