Jalen Brunson Drops 33, Knicks Move to 3-0 — And the Prop Market Still Hasn't Caught Up

As ESPN reported, Jalen Brunson scored 33 points Friday night in Philadelphia, burying a go-ahead three from the top of the arc during a 9-0 fourth-quarter run that turned a four-point game into a 108-94 New York blowout. The Knicks are 3-0 in the Eastern Conference semifinals and one win away from a second straight conference finals appearance. Game 4 is Sunday.

Brunson is doing exactly what he was built to do. Three playoff games in, he is the unquestioned engine of this offense — more so now that OG Anunoby (strained right hamstring, day-to-day) has missed time and is averaging 21.4 points per game when healthy. With Anunoby sidelined, defensive attention on Brunson doesn't dissipate — it concentrates. He's seen it all postseason and responded by manufacturing buckets in the moments that decide games. This isn't variance. It's a pattern.

Mikal Bridges chipped in 23 points and Josh Hart posted a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double, reinforcing that the Knicks' Nova contingent — Brunson, Hart, and Bridges all played for Villanova — has the chemistry and the trust to close out games on the road. Philadelphia countered with 22 from Kelly Oubre Jr. and an 18-point return from Joel Embiid, who came back after missing Game 2 with a sprained ankle and a sore hip. Embiid's presence helped the Sixers stay within striking distance through three quarters. It wasn't enough.

For Sunday's Game 4, the prop market should reflect what this series has actually looked like. Brunson is the primary initiator, the closer, and the emotional anchor of this team — and with a sweep on the line, expect New York to run its offense through him early and often. His points prop has been set in the 27-29 range this series depending on the book. Given that he has hit 33, 28, and 30 across the first three games, the over on his points line at 27.5 carries real value, especially if Anunoby remains out and Brunson absorbs an even larger share of creation duties. The Knicks' team total is also worth monitoring — they've covered 100 points in all three games and have done it without their best wing scorer.

The Hart double-double angle deserves attention too. He now has multiple double-doubles in this series and is logging the kind of minutes — heavy rebounding load, physical defense, transition scoring — that make the rebound props particularly live. At 10.5 rebounds on most books, he's a real threat to hit that number in a game where New York will be attacking the glass against a depleted Philly roster. The Knicks know they can close this out Sunday. The question is just how efficient the process looks.