The pick — T.J. McConnell OVER 16.5 points + assists (-120, DraftKings)
DraftKings offers:
Rick Carlisle messed up.
The normally solid 2011 NBA championship head coach inexplicably held out T.J. McConnell for the final seven minutes of Game 2. Everyone and their grandmothers could see that McConnell’s defense on Jalen Brunson was effective, yet Carlisle kept him out anyway in the Pacers’ 130-121 loss to the Knicks.
That shouldn’t be the case for Game 3 on Friday.
After being grilled about his decision in his postgame press conference, Carlisle will probably give McConnell a minimum of 22 minutes as Indiana tries to climb out of a 2-0 series hole. That would be great news for us. Because when McConnell gets 20 or more minutes — in the playoffs, at least — he’s hit over this number all three times. In fact, when he played 20-plus minutes in the regular season, he averaged 13.6 points and 7.2 assists — way above this number.
The point is, more minutes for T.J. means more points and assists. It’s really that simple.
And in a game where McConnell will surely be paired with the highest game total of the series, his points-plus-assists over should be a play every bettor is eyeing.
NBA postseason record: 6-1, +4.42 units