The Knicks dominated in Game 1 and will look to take a 2-0 lead to Philadelphia. The 76ers will have to avoid that 0-2 deficit with Joel Embiid out of the lineup. Last series, they did steal Game 2 in Boston with Joel Embiid out of the lineup. Tyrese Maxey and Paul George will lead the way tonight, with OG Anunoby starring in a supporting role for the Knicks.
Out West, Anthony Edwards healed faster than expected once again and helped Minnesota steal Game 1 in San Antonio despite history from Victor Wembanyama. He was not alone as Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid combined for 28 points. They will look to step up again as the Spurs fight to even the series.
Let's get into my NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Wednesday, May 6.
NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide: Wednesday, May 6
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NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for 76ers vs. Knicks
The Angle: Maxey & George Keep 76ers Offense Afloat
Tyrese Maxey 25+Points
In Game 1, Maxey scored just 13 points and shot 3-for-9 from the field in 27 minutes. He may have been drained after playing 45 minutes in the 76ers' Game 7 victory over the Celtics and Nick Nurse benched his starters midway through the third quarter. Either way, I expect Maxey to bounce back, particularly with his line being this low.
Maxey has scored 25 points in 68% of his total games this season and in five of eight playoff games. He has scored 25 points in 11 of his last 16 games against the Knicks while averaging 28.4 points per game. He was on pace to get there again as he scored all of his points in the first half.
A closer and more competitive game will put Maxey closer to his usual minutes, over 37 per game in the last three years. Maxey's hit rates get even better when he plays 35 minutes, as he scored 25 points in 48 of 61 games (79%) this season as well as in 10 of his last 13 games (77%) against the Knicks.
Additionally, while the 76ers just made a 3-1 comeback, they will want to avoid putting themselves in another two-game deficit in a series. I expect Maxey to show up tonight with his team needing a big performance from him.
Pick: Tyrese Maxey 25+ Points
Paul George 15+ Points
While he may not be putting up the numbers we are used to seeing from him, Paul George has been a strong third option for the 76ers behind Joel Embiid and Maxey. He averaged 17.3 points per game in the regular season and he is at 17.4 per game in the playoffs. He has scored 15 points in seven of his last eight games.
His 3-point shot has done much of the heavy lifting as he has knocked down three in each of the last six games. He is shooting 56.5% from deep on 5.8 3-point attempts per game. He is shooting 49.5% from the field overall and if he stays hot, he should get 15 points tonight. He has scored 15 points in six of his last eight games against the Knicks, scoring 20 points in four of those games.
Pick: Paul George 15 Points
The Contrarian SGP: 76ers Overs, Anunoby Over
OG Anunoby 20+ Points & Rebounds
In the regular season, OG Anunoby averaged 16.7 and 5.2 rebounds per game, which he was hitting 20 PR on a typical night. However, in the playoffs, he has hit this line with just his points. He is averaging 21 points per game in the playoffs while shooting 63.7% from the field and 59.4% from three. His hot shooting continued as he went 7-for-8 from the field on Monday night.
Anunoby only had three rebounds on Monday and the blowout may have been a factor. It was his first game with fewer than seven rebounds this postseason and he has averaged 7.9 per game. He is averaging 12.6 rebound chances per game in the playoffs.
As a result, he has recorded 20 points and rebounds in each of the Knicks' first seven playoff games, averaging 28.9 PR per game. He has also recorded 20 PR in 11 of his last 12 games against Philadelphia.
Pick: OG Anunoby 20+ Points & Rebounds
Over 214.5
In five meetings this season, these teams are 3-2 to the over. However, all five meetings have had at least 215 points with an average of 231 points per game.
Monday's game easily went over 212.5 points thanks to the Knicks' dominant performance. A better offensive performance from Philadelphia should see both teams contribute to this number.
Even somewhere in the neighborhood of 112-107 gets us over this line with room to spare.
Pick: Over 214.5
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+344)
- Tyrese Maxey 25+ Points
- Paul George 15+ Points
- OG Anunoby 20+ Points & Rebounds
- Over 214.5
Compounding Angle (+1386)
- Tyrese Maxey 30+ Points
- Paul George 20+ Points
- OG Anunoby 25+ Points & Rebounds
- Over 214.5
NBA Same Game Parlay Strategy Guide for Timberwolves and Spurs
The Angle: McDaniels & Reid Help Timberwolves Cover Spread
Jaden McDaniels Over 14,5 Points
Many expected Minnesota to lose in the first round to Denver even after going up 3-1 when Anthony Edwards went down with injury in Game 4. However, Jaden McDaniels lead the charge in closing out the Nuggets with 32 points in Game 6. McDaniels does not go for 30 too often, but he has continued to develop his game and emerge as one of the league's premier 3-and-D archetypes.
After averaging 14.8 points per game in the regular season, McDaniels is averaging 17.6 points per game in the playoffs. He has done so without his shot falling much from the perimeter, as he made just 2-of-20 3-point attempts in the playoffs. However, he has seen little dip in his overall efficiency as he is still shooting 49.5% from the field in the playoffs.
McDaniels has scored 15 points in seven of his last 10 games, averaging 18.2 points per game. He has a seen a four percent bump in usage in that span as well. He also has scored 15 points in three of his last five games against the Spurs with 16 on Monday.
Pick: Jaden McDaniels Over 14.5 Points
The Contrarian SGP: Timberwolves Spread, Wemby Blocks
Naz Reid 12+ Points
Reid has been in double digits five of seven playoff games while averaging 11 points per game. He has scored 12 points or more in his last four games. However, what is particularly noteworthy about Game 1 is he played the first nine minutes of the fourth quarter over Rudy Gobert. They each played 30 minutes on Monday night.
The Timberwolves still need Gobert's rim protection, particularly in this series, so I would not expect Reid to outpace him in minutes. However, if Chris Finch opts to focus on limiting Wembanyama's rim protection on the other end, he may play Reid more to space the floor.
Pick: Naz Reid 12+ Points
Victor Wembanyama 4+ Blocks
In Game 1, Wembanyama had the second-most blocked shots in a half of playoff game with seven and finished the game with the most blocks in a playoff with 12 on the night. With 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 12 blocks, Wembanyama became the third to record a triple-double with blocks in a playoff game.
There were some protests about some of his blocks in Game 1 possibly being fouls or goaltending, but Wembanyama has had six blocks or more in each of his last three games now.
Whether more calls go against him tonight, the bigger question I have is how he responds after playing 40 minutes. The Spurs have been careful with his minutes most of the year and he is in his first playoff run. However, they cannot afford to go down 0-2 heading back to Minnesota.
In his last 20 games playing 30 minutes or more, Wembanyama has recorded four blocks in 12 of those games. Additionally, Minnesota is the kind of team that will not be scared to keep driving and challenge him.
Unfortunately for them, Wembanyama will be there in the paint and able to roam because he does not really have to guard Gobert. That should help him record at least four more blocks tonight.
Pick: Victor Wembanyama 4+ Blocks
Timberwolves +10.5
Conventional wisdom says the Spurs win Game 2 on their home floor and even the series. They are also 5-0 after a loss with Wembanyama in the lineup. However, that does not necessarily mean tonight's game will be a blowout.
The Timberwolves have won seven of the last 10 meetings between the teams. The Spurs only three wins in the series have been by one, 10, and three points. Usually, the Timberwolves are the favorite when these teams play and now we're getting 10 points with them.
They are also the team with more playoff experience in this matchup, having made two consecutive Western Conference Finals while this is the first playoff run for this Spurs team as a group. They also may get a heavier dose of Edwards tonight, which will improve their chances to not only cover, but win outright.
Same Game Parlay Building Blocks (+591)
- Jaden McDaniels 15+ Points
- Naz Reid 12+ Points
- Victor Wembanyama 4+ Blocks
- Timberwolves +10.5
Compounding Angle (+2300)
- Jaden McDaniels 15+ Points
- Naz Reid 15+ Points
- Victor Wembanyama 6+ Blocks
- Timberwolves +5.5
