After an overtime thriller in Game 1, in which the Knicks won, the Celtics and Knicks continue their second round series with Game 2 in Boston on Wednesday. On DraftKings Sportsbook, the Celtics are favored by 10.5 points for Game 2 and this tilt carries a total of 210.5 points.
Below, I dive into three of my favorite player prop bets for Wednesday’s Game 2 between the Celtics and the Knicks on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Best Celtics vs. Knicks Player Prop Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook
Jayson Tatum O 27.5 points (-125)
No team has been better coming off a loss than the Celtics this season with a 20-2 record, and Tatum has been one of the main reasons for Boston’s incredible ability to bounce back. The superstar is averaging 28.7 PPG after a loss this season, and he has exceeded 27.5 points in 11 of these 20 starts. Tatum finished with 23 points in Game 1 while shooting an ugly 30% from the field. The forward was vocal to the media after the loss that he settled on some shots and Tatum should be extremely aggressive in Game 2, especially with driving to the basket.
Even after the poor shooting performance in Game 1, Tatum is still averaging a huge 31.4 PPG against the Knicks this season. He has scored at least 32 points in three of these five matchups. So far in the postseason, Tatum is leading the Celtics with a 32.4% usage rate. He is averaging 29.6 PPG. The 27-year-old has exceeded 27.5 points in three of these five starts and is an elite bet for over 27.5 points in Game 2.
Karl-Anthony Towns U 19.5 Points (-125)
Towns has struggled against the Celtics this season. The center finished with only 14 points in Game 1, and he has scored 14 points or fewer in three of his five matchups with Boston. Towns’ struggles in this matchup have been no surprise, as Boston ranks third in defensive rating, and they are allowing the second-fewest points to centers in the NBA. Towns has stayed under 19.5 points in four of his seven starts this postseason and his usage has been at only 20%, which is a huge drop from the 26.5% usage he saw in the regular season.
As noted above, the Celtics are a league-best 20-2 after a loss this season and their margin of victory is a huge 19.1 PPG in this situation, which is also a league-best number. Boston is a 10.5-point favorite for Game 2 and there is a chance that they run away with an easy victory tonight, which would result in lower minutes for Towns and the Knicks’ starters. Combine the blowout risk with this being a poor matchup for Towns, and he is an easy bet for under 19.5 points.
Al Horford O 13.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-120)
Horford has been strong off the bench for the Celtics this postseason, averaging 7.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game. The veteran has topped 13.5 PRA in all but one of Boston’s six playoff games thus far. During this postseason run, Horford is logging 32.7 minutes per game, which is a significant increase from the 27.7 he averaged in the regular season. Horford has been especially active on the glass, averaging 12.8 rebound chances per game.
With Sam Hauser (ankle) doubtful and Kristaps Porzingis dealing with an illness, Horford should continue to see right around 30 minutes in Game 2 and have no problems surpassing this low 13.5 PRA line.
