We have a total of three NBA props for tonight, and I'm focusing on some key players who could be in line for noteworthy performances in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and Knicks.
Continue below for my NBA player props for Wednesday, May 21.
NBA Player Props for Wednesday, May 21
- Pascal Siakam Over 21.5 Points + Assists
- Josh Hart Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds
- Obi Toppin Over 4.5 Rebounds + Assists
Pascal Siakam Over 21.5 Points + Assists
Pacers vs. Knicks, 8:00 p.m. ET
Pascal Siakam has fit the Pacers like a glove since joining the team in a midseason trade during the 2023-24 campaign. The former Toronto Raptor has provided a veteran presence while taking over as the team's scoring leader.
Siakam is a very efficient player who shoots 52% from the floor despite more than half of his attempts being eight feet or farther away from the basket.
In Game 4 against the Cavs, we saw his efficiency on full display. He played only 21 minutes and finished with 21 points on 9-of-10 shooting while going 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.
The Pacers will meet the Knicks, a familiar foe in the Eastern Conference Finals. With the total bet up 224.5 after opening at 222.5, we could see plenty of back-and-forth scoring from both teams.
This could bode well for Siakam to cover his points + assists prop of 21.5. He has covered this number in two straight playoff games and 10 of his last 14 meetings against New York.
Indiana is currently flying with the second-highest Offensive Rating (117.3) in the postseason. Siakam is a big part of the team's success, and he'll likely be the one who sets the tone for the Pacers.
Pick: Pascal Siakam Over 21.5 Points + Assists (-110 at DraftKings)
Josh Hart Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds
Pacers vs. Knicks, 8:00 p.m. ET
After a stretch of five straight playoff games exceeding 21.5 points + rebounds, perhaps you could say Knicks shooting guard Josh Hart was bound to cool off a bit. The Villanova product has cleared the prop line only once in his last four games.
However, the Pacers' free-flowing style of play should give Hart an excellent chance to post a big stat line for Game 1.
Hart went over 21.5 points + rebounds in all three meetings against the Pacers this season and even had a 30-point performance with 10 rebounds when the two sides last met in February.
Statistically, he posted the best regular season of his NBA career, averaging 13.6 points while shooting 52.5% from the floor.
His 9.6 rebounds were also a career-best, and when the teams faced off in the conference semifinals a year ago, Hart had 24 points with 13 rebounds in the series opener.
Hart's recent success against the Pacers should have him brimming with confidence heading into this series. I'd expect him to put forth another comprehensive performance and go over his points + rebounds prop of 21.5.
Pick: Josh Hart Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-125 at FanDuel)
Obi Toppin Over 4.5 Rebounds + Assists
Pacers vs. Knicks, 8:00 p.m. ET
Obi Toppin will face his former team again when the Pacers renew their rivalry with the Knickerbockers. Toppin spent his first three seasons in the Big Apple before the Knicks traded him to the Pacers during the summer of 2023.
I suspect New York's decision to part ways with Toppin was because it couldn't justify keeping around a bench player they drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.
While Toppin will probably never be a starter in the league, he is an impact player who can contribute from the first minute once he steps on the court.
The Dayton product has a rebounds + assists prop of 4.5, a number he has covered in three straight games and four of his last five against New York.
If there's ever a time to give Toppin some extra minutes, you'd have to think Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle will utilize his energy off the bench against his former team.
Motivation, at times, can be another form of adrenaline, and Toppin will be champing at the bit to get back at his old team that seemingly gave up on him after three seasons.
Pick: Obi Toppin Over 4.5 Rebounds + Assists (-110 at DraftKings)
