It would be hard for Jalen Brunson to have an even more productive Game 2 after his Game 1 heroics, but the New York Knicks would probably be quite glad if he did not take three quarters to find his rhythm.
These Cavaliers vs. Knicks predictions and Jalen Brunson picks recognize how Brunson finally broke through in Game 1 and expect that playmaking in Game 2 tonight.
Jalen Brunson prop pick for Game 2
Jalen Brunson best bet: Over 6.5 assists (+105 at bet365)
This price has hardly changed from Game 1, +110 then. This prop at 6.5 has not changed from Game 1, when Jalen Brunson managed six assists.
“Managed” is an intentional verb choice. Brunson reaching six assists despite the New York Knicks’ wretched shooting should be praised.
Remove Brunson’s 15-for-29, and New York shot 27-for-59 from the field, 45.8%. It's a wonder he notched six assists.
If the Knicks had not been absolute garbage outside of Brunson, a seventh assist would have been likely.
Chalk up some of that shooting to rust thanks to sweeping the 76ers, and chalk up some of it to the Cleveland Cavaliers’ defense, but do not expect it to be so atrocious again tonight.
Jalen Brunson same-game parlay
Brunson did not play particularly well in Tuesday’s first three quarters, either. He was 7-for-20 from the field, including 0-for-5 from beyond the arc, but when he stopped taking such a chunk of his shots from deep, Brunson found holes in this Cavaliers defense.
He proceeded to go 8-for-11 from the field in overtime and the fourth quarter, hitting the only 3-pointer he took. In those same 15 minutes from Brunson in 17 minutes of game action, he found four of his six assists.
It took a while, but Brunson found the way to carve up Cleveland. Drive and finish or drive and kick.
Presumably, the Cavaliers will not leave James Harden so exposed against Brunson, thus cutting down on Brunson’s total points output, but that should only leave other Knicks open.
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