NBA Best Bets for Wednesday: Player Props, Parlays and Playoff Predictions

Hey, an NBA fan could get used to this more compact, every-other-day scheduling for the conference semifinals.

It can’t be too bad for the New York Knicks and Minnesota Timberwolves, either, as both teams aim to maintain their momentum from Monday as their series shift to Game 2.

Let’s look at some best bets for Wednesday’s action. Odds are via FanDuel.

PHILADELPHIA 76ers at NEW YORK KNICKS, 7 p.m.

A 137-98 home rout in the series opener Monday made the Knicks the first team in league history to win three consecutive playoff games by 25 points or more.

Whether New York can continue its unconscionable shooting from Game 1 – 63 percent overall, 51 percent from deep – remains to be seen. Of course, so does the full complement of Karl-Anthony Towns.

With Sixers playoff tormentor Jalen Brunson steering the Knicks’ attack with 35 points, Towns played just 20 minutes while contributing 17 points, six rebounds and six assists.

Expect Philly to make things considerably closer tonight, but don’t bank on a rolling Towns and Co. to back down.

Knicks -7.5 and Karl-Anthony Towns 35+ points, assists and rebounds as part of two-leg parlay (+231)

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES AT SAN ANTONIO SPURS, 9:30 p.m.

Wolves star Anthony Edwards contributed 18 points in 25 minutes off the bench during Monday’s 104-102 victory in Game 1, returning ahead of schedule from a bone bruise and hyperextended left knee that ended his first-round series against Denver prematurely.

To teammate Mike Conley, Edwards’ mere presence helped make a difference whether he made a mark on the scoresheet or not.

“Nobody expected him to play,” Conley said. “It was just his level of commitment to the game. Not just to the game, but to his teammates. It showed a lot.”

A recovering Edwards will give even more in Game 2. He’s the undisputed heart of a team that’s 48 minutes from putting a stranglehold on the series. Speaking of the unexpected.

Anthony Edwards 20+ points (-142)

Spurs center Victor Wembanyama blocked an NBA postseason record 12 shots as San Antonio absorbed just its second defeat in its past 17 series openers at home.

“Wemby” collected seven blocks before intermission, including two on Terrence Shannon Jr. layup attempts on consecutive possessions in the opening minutes.

Naturally, Minnesota attacked the rim with greater success at other junctures helping pave the way for a narrow victory. Just as the Timberwolves can’t avoid Wembanyama altogether, though, he can’t alter every play on ‘D.’

Still, give the NBA Defensive Player of the Year his due, even though Wolves coach Chris Finch cried “goaltending” on four or five blocks during a postmortem Tuesday.

Wembanyama can and will impact his share of Minnesota possessions. He has collected 25 blocks over the past three games, so producing at slightly less than that gaudy recent average should be no problem.

Victor Wembanyama 5+ blocks (+116)