Siakam, Achiuwa, Burks Top Player Prop Bets for Pacers-Knicks Game 6

On Friday, we have a thrilling showdown ready to tip off. The New York Knicks are in action as they look to put the Pacers’ season to bed in Game 6 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. There has been plenty of back-and-forth drama in this series, and Indiana is desperate to force a Game 7.

With my picks proving accurate in the playoffs, I’m excited to maintain the momentum with the best NBA player props for Friday’s Game 6 between the Pacers and Knicks.

Pacers PF Pascal Siakam Over 21½ Points

If you’ve followed along with my NBA bets this postseason, you would know we are 4-0 betting on Pascal Siakam in this series! I faded him in the first two games on the road and backed him in Game 3 at the house and again in Game 5 at MSG. The minute New York announced OG Anunoby would be out for Game 6, I knew we were going to back Siakam again.

Siakam was tremendous for the Pacers in the first round against the Bucks, scoring 36 and 37 points in the first two games, but he disappeared for the remainder of the series. Siakam scored 17, 13, 12 and 19 points in the next four games. Against the Knicks, he finished with 19 points in Game 1 and 14 in Game 2, both games going under his prop. Anunoby was the primary defender most of the time in the first two games before his injury. Then, in Game 3, he poured in 26 points and cashed the over. Game 4 was a blowout, and he played just 22 minutes compared to his playoff average of 35 minutes per game. He led the Pacers with 22 points in the Game 5 loss at MSG.

The Pacers acquired the former All-Star Siakam in a surprising move from the Toronto Raptors in January. Anunoby is one of the premier defenders in the NBA, and his absence has been a glaring issue on the defensive end. The Knicks’ lack of depth is concerning as we get deeper into this series. New York is losing the battle of attrition, and Anunoby is the latest Knick to go down with an injury. I expect Siakam to produce again without Anunoby on the floor to defend him.

Knicks PF Precious Achiuwa Over 4½ Points

With our next player prop, I will go with a role player for the Knicks, Precious Achiuwa. I’m buying the dip and this extremely low number. He was part of the Anunoby trade and came to the Knicks from the Raptors halfway through the season. Achiuwa’s role has significantly increased due to the injuries to the Knicks’ key players, and he’s been playing significant minutes. His ability to contribute on both ends of the court, especially in the paint, makes him a strong candidate for this prop bet.

Coach Tom Thibodeau inserted Achiuwa into the starting lineup in Games 3 and 4 following Anunoby’s injury. He surprised us in Game 5 when he swapped Miles McBride in for Achiuwa, and it worked for the Knicks, who established more pressure in the backcourt. Precious still played 23 minutes and attempted six field goals in Game 5 despite coming off the bench.

He is over this line in three of the last four games since OG went down. The Pacers allowed the second-most points in the paint in the NBA, behind only the Washington Wizards, and I expect Precious to attack the rim and the offensive glass. He is averaging more than 20 minutes per game in this series. Since being traded to New York, he exceeded this line in 27 of 32 games when playing at least 20 minutes. He has hit this line in five consecutive regular-season matchups, with Indiana playing at least 20 minutes. Fire up Precious ahead of tonight’s game!

Knicks SG Alec Burks Over 10½ Points

I’m going with another role player for New York for a final pick. The Knicks will need Alec Burks to produce if they want to close out this series. I expect the referees to be on the Pacers’ side at home, which could lead to some early foul trouble for some New York starters. With McBride inserted into the starting five, Burks has become the primary scoring option off the bench for Tom Thibodeau. Burks, a 13-year veteran, has plenty of experience with this Knicks group. He was another midseason trade acquisition by New York when they acquired Bojan Bogdanovic and Burks from the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline in February. With Bojan injured, Burks has been the next man up for coach Thibs.

He has exceeded this line in three straight games since he saw his number called, scoring 14, 20 and 18 points. Since the injuries to OG and Bojan, he has played an average of 22 minutes per game in this series. He exceeded this line in six of six games, playing at least 20 minutes since the trade.

The Pacers have struggled to defend opposing guards, allowing the second-most points per game to shooting guards during the regular season. This sets the stage for Burks to shine again. The Pacers’ focus on Jalen Brunson could leave the door open for role players such as Burks. With his scoring ability and the lack of scoring options off the bench, this line is a gift. Bank on Burks!

Tom Thibodeau calls Alec Burks “the ultimate pro”

“I’m not surprised. He’s had a terrific career and I think he’s got a lot left in the tank.” pic.twitter.com/EQP6jhIFW5

— Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) May 15, 2024

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