It's another NBA Playoff-filled Friday with two games on the slate, The Knicks and the Timberwolves are both looking to go up 3-0 in their respective series. At the same time, the Pacers and Nuggets will try to claw their way back.
We have two matchups on the schedule tonight. What should bettors look for in these games? We’ve got you covered with three bets for tonight.
Live player props data coming soon for Obi Toppin.
Indiana Pacers’ Obi Toppin OVER 10.5 Points
This is Toppin’s revenge series. Obi was with the Knicks for three seasons before being traded to Indiana for basically nothing last offseason. Toppin has always looked to show his worth against New York. He had that high-flying dunk in Game 2, and he's been on a roll ever since.
Besides the first two games of the series against the Bucks in round one, Obi has shined, clearing 10.5 points in six of his last six games. He reached the 20-point mark in two of those games, averaging just over 13 points per game while shooting 54% from the field.
The Pacers also average the most bench points in the playoffs with just over 34 a game. With Toppin playing extremely well with his role, look for his minutes to rise and Indy to rely on the 6’9 power forward a lot tonight. With the Knicks going small with the absence of OG Anunoby, expect Toppin to score in the double figures.
Live player props data coming soon for Rudy Gobert.
Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert OVER 12.5 Rebounds
After missing Game 2 due to the birth of his child, Gobert is back with a big chance to put his team up 3-0, which would move them one step closer to the Western Conference Finals. There are two things Gobert is known for: defense and rebounding.
The recently named Defensive Player of the Year has hit this rebounding line in five out of his last seven games. In one of those games Gobert only played 25 minutes due to a blowout. With the Nuggets not trying to go down 3-0 I expect the ball to be in Jokic’s hands most of the game with Gobert guarding him. Jokic takes most of his shots in the paint, giving Gobert many opportunities to crash the glass.
The 7’1" center recorded 13 rebounds in Game 1. During the regular season, Gobert averaged 13.4 rebounds against the Nuggets. Gobert should be able to hit his average number of boards against the Nuggets and clear 12.5.
Best Bet: Pacers 1Q -2.5
For Indiana, this is now or never for their season. Never once in NBA history has a team come back down 3-0 and if they don’t win Game 3, they may be another victim of that stat. Coming home for this contest should provide a boost to the Pacers.
The Knicks are slowly losing piece by piece. Tonight, they will be without their second option OG Anunoby due to a hamstring injury and their star Jalen Brunson is playing with a foot injury. The Knicks haven’t played with an OG-less lineup in a month, so that could take them a minute to get adjusted to. New York’s record with Anunoby is 26-5, but without him they're only 30-29.
The Pacers have also never lost a first quarter this postseason, and this won’t be like Philly. There isn't an Amtrak to take you two hours from NYC to Gainbridge Field House. With a loud home crowd, the Pacers' energy to start the game, and the Knicks without OG, I expect the Pacers to jump out to an early lead in this one and win the quarter.
