Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Player Prop Pick: Can T.J. McConnell Step Up for the Pacers in Game 5?
The Pacers and Knicks head back to the Garden for Game 5 with the series tied 2-2. Can T.J. McConnell step up for the Pacers tonight? Ben Rajavuori provides his best Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks player prop pick.
Ben Rajavuori - May 14, 2024, 3:47 PM EDT
5 minIndiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Player Prop Pick: Can T.J. McConnell Step Up for the Pacers in Game 5?
The Pacers and Knicks head back to Madison Square Garden in New York tonight for Game 5 of the second round of the Eastern Conference NBA playoffs. The Pacers battled back in the series and took both home games, tying the series at 2–2 after a statement blowout of the Knicks by a score of 121–89 on Sunday. The series just got a whole lot more interesting and will be a fun way to kick off the night at 8 PM Eastern time on TNT.
PACERS VS. KNICKS GAME 5 DATE, TIME, AND WHERE TO WATCH
- Date: May 14, 2024
- Start Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: TNT
INDIANA PACERS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS Game 5 PREDICTION
One of the main stories heading into this game is the health of point guard Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton has been dealing with a low back injury for sometime now, although it appears that he is even more banged up heading into game five. He is now having back spasms, has a sacral contusion, and a minor right ankle sprain. Although it’s tough to put too much weight into one short clip without much context, someone took a video of Halliburton needing to put both hands on the rails while going down the stairs after his post game interview following Game 4. Although these guys work with the best trainers in the world, Haliburton is clearly in some pain and is playing through these injuries.
I mentioned these injuries because this could factor into some additional playing time for the impressive bench point guard for the Pacers, T.J. McConnell. McConnell has been one of the most impressive bench players in the playoff so far in 2024 and has given the Pacers some key minutes off the bench. Although he has played so well, it seems that Rick Carlisle is hesitant to give him too many more minutes, although I could see that changing tonight. with Haliburton banged up and McConnell playing so well off the bench, McConnell could be thrust into getting at least a role closer to the mid 20s and even touching 30 minutes tonight. That’s a very rare thing for TJ McConnell, as he barely played any games near or at 30 minutes this season, but he has the experience and level of play to do so in this spot.
McConnell playing 20 or more minutes is key for this bet tonight, as we are taking him to go over 18.5 points+rebounds+assists. McConnell has hit this line in five of ten postseason games so far, including going over in three of the four games against the Knicks. the only game he didn’t hit this of the series was in game three and he only played 19 minutes. Halliburton was on fire that game, scoring 35 points and shooting 6–16 from three. It was the best game of the postseason for Haliburton, so it makes sense why McConnell didn’t get as much playing time.
McConnell playing 20+ minutes is so important because he has been very successful at hitting his points+rebounds+assists when getting 20+ minutes this season. In fact, in games has played 20+ minutes this season, he has hit 19 or more points plus rebounds plus assists in 90% of them, hitting in 28/31. He has hit this line in ten straight games playing 20+ minutes as well, including every game in the postseason that he has played 20+ minutes. McConnell is a key piece off the bench for the Pacers and may be asked to step up just a little bit more in Game 5 with Haliburton battling multiple injuries. Haliburton is also due for some regression after a few very hot games and McConnell has yet to miss this line when getting 20+ minutes. Back McConnell to hit his points+rebounds+assists in four of the five games of this series tonight.
INDIANA PACERS VS. NEW YORK KNICKS Game 5 Player Prop Pick
Pick: T.J. McConnell Over 18.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists -115 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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