Best NBA Player Props Today, 05/21: Will Cavaliers' Allen Help Rally the Team?

We’ve got a single game on the slate on the NBA hardwood for Thursday as the postseason’s third round continues. It’s Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals series on the shores of Lake Erie. We saw an epic collapse or an epic comeback in Game 1 depending on which side you were backing. What will Game 2 bring in the Big Apple?

Let’s take a spin around the league and see what’s on tap while identifying the best NBA bets today.

NBA Schedule

• Cavaliers @ Knicks, 8 pm ET (Series Tied 3-3)

Best NBA Bets Today – Player Props

Landry Shamet, Knicks Over 5.5 Points (+100, DraftKings)

Shamet was a non-entity in the opening round of the playoffs before becoming relevant against the 76ers. He scored 15 points in Game 3 against Philadelphia and added 12 in the series clinching triumph in Game 4. In Game 1 of this series, Shamet saw 17:22 off floor and contributed nine points along with solid defense. He took away some minutes from Josh Hart, who the Cavaliers were almost daring to shoot the ball. With the way Shamet has played in the last three games, lean toward him going over this number to add to your bankroll.

Jarrett Allen, Cavaliers Over 11.5 Points (-117, DraftKings)

Allen, for his issues on the glass in the postseason, put some points on the board in this series. He scored at least 13 points in seven of the last 10 postseason games. While he finished with just 10 points in Game 1 of this series, he missed some opportunities. Allen was three of six from the floor but missed four of his eight free throw attempts. That’s been a bone of contention in the postseason as he shoots better from the floor (63.7%) than the line (57.6%) entering this one. Cleveland needs to establish Allen I the low block early.

Karl-Anthony Towns, Knicks Over 4.5 Assists (-146, FanDuel)

Towns put up big playmaking numbers in the second half of the Knicks’ series with the Hawks. After putting up a total of 10 assists in the first three games, he recorded 26 assists in the final three games. That included a pair of triple-doubles, coming in Games 4 and 6. Towns has at least four assists in 14 of his last 15 games entering this contest. He averaged six assists a night in the series against the Hawks in the first round. Towns averaged 7.5 dimes against the 76ers and had five in Game 1 of this set. Take the over in this contest as Towns turns in another solid showing. You could grab over 5.5 assists at +125 as well.

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Best NBA Bets Today – Sides

Knicks -6.5 (DraftKings, -105)

Cleveland had their chances in Game 1 and blew the second-biggest fourth quarter lead in NBA playoff history. The Cavaliers had the wind taken out of their sails in that contest and one has to have concern that they can dust themselves back off here. New York sliced and diced the Cavaliers’ defense late in regulation and overtime. The Knicks looked like the team that dismantled Philadelphia in the Eastern Conference semifinals. New York is at home with all the momentum in the world. Take the Knicks here as they take a 2-0 series lead.

Cavaliers vs. Knicks Under 216.5 (BetMGM, -115)

We didn’t see the kind of offensive output one would expect in Game 1. The Knicks have the second-best scoring offense in the postseason. However, the game was even at 101 at the end of regulation before the Knicks’ 14-3 advantage in overtime. We know New York is sound defensively, ranking second in scoring defense in the playoffs. Cleveland is middle of the road in both categories during the postseason. Cleveland did stifle the Knicks’ offense for three-plus quarters in the opener. Therefore, lean toward the under in this contest.