The Chalkboard NBA Picks for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals highlight the crucial adjustments being made in the frontcourt. As the Knicks look to protect home floor, the NBA DFS Projections for their versatile point-center and the Cavaliers' top bench marksman offer excellent board value.

 

 

 

Karl-Anthony Towns NBA Chalkboard Pick: More Than 4.5 Assists

Karl-Anthony Towns has fully embraced his evolutionary role as a primary facilitator from the high elbow, racking up at least six assists in seven straight games this playoff season. With Cleveland sporting massive size inside with Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley, the Knicks will rely on Towns to pull those bigs out of the paint and distribute to cutting wings. Making these Chalkboard NBA Picks an optimal play based on match-up geometry and steady volume.

 

Sam Merrill NBA Chalkboard Pick: More Than 1.5 Three-Pointers Made

Sam Merrill is the ultimate x-factor for Cleveland’s perimeter depth, demonstrating his hot hand by hitting at least two three-pointers over the final four games vs Detroit. Rotations tighten significantly in the Conference Finals, but Merrill’s quick-trigger release makes him highly valuable in short bursts. New York’s defensive scheme heavily prioritizes collapsing on drivers, which should yield multiple open spot-up looks for Merrill to surpass this threshold.

 

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