The Knicks begin their playoff campaign against a burgeoning Pistons team that's essentially playing with house money after exceeding expectations to finish sixth in the Eastern Conference. New York should expect to have its hands full, considering Detroit won the regular season series by rattling off three consecutive wins.
Nonetheless, the Knicks are as high as 7.5-point favorites today, but if you think that number is too steep, the props market has an abundance of offerings that we can take advantage of.
Continue below for my NBA prop bets for Knicks vs. Pistons on Saturday, April 19.
NBA Prop Bets for Saturday, April 19
- Josh Hart Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds
- Mikal Bridges Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
- Dennis Schroder Over 7.5 Points
Josh Hart Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds
Pistons vs. Knicks, 6 p.m. ET
The Knicks will try to draw plenty of energy from the home crowd, and one player who tends to feed off the environment is Josh Hart. Through nothing but sheer grit and determination, Hart has turned himself into a bona fide starter in the league and a key cog within this Knicks rotation.
If anything, you can expect a considerable effort from Hart, and he's always a willing contributor to do his part when it comes to rebounding the basketball.
The Knicks guard has a points + rebounds (PR) prop of 21.5, which he has cleared in five straight games against the Pistons.
It's worth noting that even if Hart struggles offensively, he can just as easily rack up double digits in rebounds. Therefore, his PR line is a great way to target his player props, making the over a viable option in this spot.
Pick: Josh Hart Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds (-112 at DraftKings)
Mikal Bridges Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
Pistons vs. Knicks, 6 p.m. ET
While I prefer the Pistons as a side in the matchup, I won't overlook a Knicks player prop – especially one that's undervalued. Mikal Bridges fits that criteria, as his points + rebounds + assists (PRA) prop is available at 23.5.
Bridges has cleared this number in 14 of his last 19 games, with his most recent outing being that dubious regular-season finale against the Nets, where he barely logged a full minute in an attempt to keep his consecutive games played streak alive.
Bridges' numbers were very favorable against the Pistons this season, averaging a PRA of 26.8 over four games.
Therefore, the over in his PRA prop looks well within reach in a game in which we could see more of a back-and-forth between the two teams. Three of the four head-to-head meetings this season went over the total, and a higher-scoring game would certainly bode well for Bridges to exceed his PRA line.
Pick: Mikal Bridges Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists (-125 at FanDuel)
Dennis Schroder Over 7.5 Points
Pistons vs. Knicks, 6 p.m. ET
The Pistons could do with a bit of veteran leadership to help them get over the line. After all, they haven't been in the playoffs since the 2018-19 season and have the 10th-youngest roster in the league. Dennis Schroder is certainly one player they can lean on as an elder statesman on the team with 11 years of NBA experience.
He's reached the playoffs eight times in his career and should relish this opportunity of being back in New York and against a Knicks team he's very familiar with from his time in Brooklyn.
Schroder has a scoring prop of 7.5 points – a number he has exceeded in 17 of his last 19 games. Moreover, he has cleared this line in six of his previous seven meetings when facing New York. Given Schroder's veteran presence, it wouldn't surprise me if Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff rewards him with more minutes in this pivotal series opener.
Pick: Dennis Schroder Over 7.5 Points (-118 at FanDuel)
Knicks vs. Pistons Props for Saturday
- Josh Hart Over 21.5 Points + Rebounds
- Mikal Bridges Over 23.5 Points + Rebounds + Assists
- Dennis Schroder Over 7.5 Points
