Pascal Siakam has consistently delivered strong performances against the Knicks this week, establishing himself as a key player not to be overlooked. He recently recorded his second 30-point game of the series as the Pacers head to New York for the pivotal Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Thursday, scheduled for an 8 p.m. ET start.
Analysis suggests Siakam is likely to exceed his combined points, rebounds, and assists total (PRA) set at 29.5 for Thursday`s game. This projection aligns with his recent form, where he has surpassed this number on points alone in two games, making him a prominent figure for potential bets as the Pacers aim to clinch the series and advance to the NBA Finals.
Projection models, which simulate games extensively, provide insights into valuable player prop betting opportunities for today`s slate. These projections are based on detailed analysis of player performance, matchups, and game context.
Recommended Player Prop Bets for Game 5:
- Myles Turner: Over 19.5 points + rebounds
- Pascal Siakam: Over 29.5 points + rebounds + assists
- Jalen Brunson: Over 6.5 assists
Myles Turner: Over 19.5 points + rebounds
Although Myles Turner has finished under this combined total in three out of the four games played so far, he came very close in two contests, recording exactly 19 points plus rebounds. He`s seldom been far off the mark. Projections for Game 5 estimate Turner`s total at 23.4 points + rebounds, higher than his regular-season average of 22.1 (15.6 points and 6.5 rebounds).
The Knicks are facing elimination, and while recent lineup adjustments haven`t guaranteed victory, potential changes in strategy could benefit Turner. Specifically, if Mitchell Robinson`s minutes are scaled back following his Game 4 performance, it could open up more rebounding opportunities for Turner. Furthermore, Karl-Anthony Towns` status is questionable due to a knee injury sustained late in Game 4. Even if he plays, his defensive effectiveness might be compromised, potentially creating more favorable matchups for Turner in the paint.
Pascal Siakam: Over 29.5 points + rebounds + assists
Pascal Siakam has been impactful in this series, averaging 25.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists for a total PRA of 33.9. He proved difficult to stop in two of the four games, including a 39-point effort in Game 2 in New York, significantly exceeding the 29.5 PRA line on points alone. While he finished just under the mark in Game 1 with a 28 PRA total, his recent 30-point game and the high stakes of the series-clinching opportunity suggest another strong performance.
Projections for Thursday`s game estimate Siakam`s PRA total at 33.6. Historically, he has performed well on the road against strong defenses, exceeding his PRA number in 12 of his last 18 such games, averaging 33.2 PRA over that span. This season, he averaged 30.3 PRA on the road while playing fewer minutes (32.3) than his current average in the series (37).
Jalen Brunson: Over 6.5 assists
The success of the Knicks` offense is heavily reliant on Jalen Brunson, and in a crucial win-or-go-home scenario at home, an aggressive performance is anticipated from him and the team. Brunson has recorded at least seven assists in six of New York`s seven home playoff games this year, including an impressive 11 assists in Game 2 against the Pacers.
Although he`s had only six assists combined over the last two games, this might create a potential buying opportunity on the Over for the New York point guard, who averaged 7.3 assists during the regular season, ranking him eighth in the league. Projections for Thursday forecast Brunson to have around 7.8 assists, supported by his average of 7.5 assists over his last 10 home contests.
While Brunson will undoubtedly look to score (averaging 33.3 ppg this series), the Pacers` defensive focus on limiting his scoring could lead to more opportunities for him to create for his teammates. As a proven playmaker and scorer, Brunson is expected to contribute significantly across multiple aspects of the game with the Knicks` season on the line.
Jasper Hawthorne