The Knicks made a miraculous comeback on Sunday, overcoming a 20-point deficit for the third time this postseason. However, if New York truly wants to make this a series, they’ll need to earn their second straight road win. That’s easier said than done against a 50-win Pacers squad playing their best basketball of the season.
Before the start of tonight’s contest, get in on the action with DraftKings NBA Pick6! Let’s look at six different players fantasy basketball managers should be targeting ahead of Tuesday night’s Knicks-Pacers Game 4.
Karl-Anthony Towns more than 21.5 points
If one player was the driving force behind Sunday’s comeback, it was Karl-Anthony Towns. Nearing the end of the game, it actually looked like one of the big man’s worst performances in New York. However, KAT came alive in the fourth quarter, dropping 20 of his 24 total points en route to a Knicks victory. It was yet another spectacular showing this postseason for the center, who has thirved in the Big Apple. Over 15 playoff games, Towns is averaging 21.1 points and 11.3 rebounds while shooting 48.9% from the field.
On a squad dominated by Jalen Brunson, it can be difficult to keep everyone involved. However, Game 3 should send a loud signal to the Knicks: feed Towns. At this point, it’s apparent that nobody on the Pacers can truly guard the seven-footer. Over six meetings with Indiana this season, KAT has posted 28.3 points and 11.7 rebounds. In four of those six games, he’s managed to score at least 22 points. More involvement early should lead to more production from New York’s superstar tonight.
Tyrese Haliburton more than 13.5 assists + rebounds
The last two games from Tyrese Haliburton haven’t been bad, per se. However, after a 31-point performance in Game 1, the guard has been somewhat passive on offense. During his last two appearances, the 25-year-old has scored a combined 34 points on 38.7% shooting from the field. However, he’s also racked up 18 assists and 12 rebounds during that time.
It’s obvious that the safest part of Haliburton’s game is his passing skills. However, he’s also an underrated rebounder. The two-time All-Star has managed to snag at least five boards in nine of his 13 outings this postseason. That’s been a major boost for the Pacers, a team that doesn’t have a ton of height down low. With or without 20+ points, expect Indiana’s face of the franchise to deliver another well-rounded stat line on Tuesday.
Josh Hart more than 8.5 rebounds
Few players are more emblematic of New York’s struggles in this series than Josh Hart. The two-way wing normally plays with a ton of (groan) heart, hustle and energy. That wasn’t the case in Games 1 and 2, in which he failed to make much of an impact. Head coach Tom Thibodeau took notice in Game 3, sending Hart to the bench to serve as sixth man. The veteran responded well to the move, snagging ten boards and four assists.
Sunday’s effort marked another productive day on the glass for Hart. This postseason, the 30-year-old has tallied nine or more boards in eight different contests. Tonight might be no different, as the wing’s new bench role could actually be a boost. The Pacers, for all their depth, aren’t great down low; depth pieces such as Obi Toppin and Tony Bradley don’t inspire much confidence. All signs are pointing to another dominant day on the glass for Hart, one of basketball’s best rebounders.
T.J. McConnell more than 14.5 points + rebounds + assists
No player in today’s NBA better embodies the term ‘pest’ than T.J. McConnell. The backup guard is a constant nuisance, capable of harassing opposing back courts on both ends of the floor. That’s been the case in this series; the tenth-year pro has reached at least ten points in each of his last three games. McConnell can be difficult to trust in fantasy basketball due to a limited workload. However, few players are more productive on a per-minute basis.
It helps that Indiana’s scrappy guard has enjoyed plenty of success in this matchup. Over his last 13 games against the Knicks, going back to last postseason, McConnell is averaging 10.4 points, 5.0 assists and 2.2 rebounds. In eight of those contests, he’s compiled at least 15 points + rebounds + assists. The veteran has also reached that total in four of his last five games this month. Even on a limited workload, the Pacers should allow McConnell to take control of their offense tonight.
Miles McBride more than 7.5 points
Miles ‘Deuce’ McBride was an unsung hero in Game 3 for the Knicks. With Jalen Bruson in foul trouble, New York’s backup came up clutch. Ending the third quarter and entering the fourth, McBride was on the floor when the Knicks began their late-game comeback, hitting several big buckets. Still, the 24-year-old only scored nine points on two-of-six shooting.
Despite his inconsistent minutes, McBride remains firmly entrenched in Tom Thibodeau’s rotation. He’s begun to play his best basketball, notching at least nine points in four of his five previous outings. Indiana’s up-tempo play style lends itself to plenty of possessions for both sides. That should suit McBride, a high-energy player, quite nicely. At just eight points, Deuce is more than capable of reaching this modest total tonight.
Obi Toppin less than 8.5 points
Speaking of inconsistent rotation pieces, Obi Toppin has been less than stellar this series. Through three games, the former Knicks first-rounder has recorded a combined 20 points and 16 rebounds. More concerning, the power forward saw his workload decrease to only 14 minutes in Game 3. During that time, he put up eight points and four rebounds.
Toppin seeing his minutes fluctuate isn’t anything new. On a deep Pacers squad, it’s normal to see high variance in playing time for role players. However, this might not be a good matchup for the big man. New York has one of Karl-Anthony Towns or Mitchell Robinson on the court at almost all times. That’s forced Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle to utilize backup center Tony Bradley. An undersized, defensively-limited 4 doesn’t make for an ideal matchup against two seven-footers. Another low usage outing feels likelier than not for Toppin in Game 3.
What is DraftKings Pick6?
Pick6 is a peer-to-peer fantasy variant where you build a lineup (your “Pick Set”) of 2+ players and select whether or not you believe each will outperform their listed stat projection. Enter your Pick Set in Pick6 contests to compete against other users. Get enough picks correct and win a share of cash prizes.
How to Play DraftKings Pick6
Create a Pick Set
Create a Pick Set by choosing 2+ players from the same sport and Pick Group (a set of picks available from a group of set competitions). For each player, simply select if you think they’ll have more or less than their listed stat projection. In each Pick Set, you can not pick the same player twice and you must pick players from at least two different teams.
Enter an Amount
Once you finalize your Pick Set, choose your entry fee amount. Your entries will be automatically distributed into available contests, subject to your confirmation.
Sweat Your Picks
When the games go live, use the My Picks tab to follow your picks in real time to track how your players are performing against their projections and how they stack up against other users.
Compete for Prizes
Make enough correct picks and win a share of the contests’ guaranteed prizes. Any prizes won will be credited to your DraftKings account after contests are finalized.
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