Miles

McBride

With the Knicks trailing the Pistons by eight at the end of the third quarter, the home team needed a spark in Saturday’s series opener. Enter Payne, who hit two three-pointers and shot 4-of-5 from the field in the fourth. His production was part of a 21-0 Knicks run that swung the game’s momentum, compensating for fellow reserve Miles McBride’s (one rebound, four assists, and one steal) failure to score in his 15 minutes on the court. Payne can be erratic, but days like Saturday serve as a reminder of the value he can bring to the table. Game 2 is scheduled for Monday night.

Despite the Knicks securing the third seed in the East on Friday, McBride played 30 minutes as Josh Hart’s replacement in the starting lineup in Brooklyn. He had a good afternoon for fantasy managers in active leagues, providing solid value in points, rebounds, assists, steals and three-pointers. McBride’s role will be different when the playoffs begin next weekend, but his scoring ability will be critical off the bench.

Anunoby and Hart returned from one-game absences against the Cavaliers but will sit for the regular-season finale. Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa a will likely start, but Landry Shamet will have to provide plenty of support off the bench because of New York’s shortage of wings.

KAT and Brunson will sit out for the Knicks’ final regular-season game. Precious Achiuwa and P.J. Tucker will have to hold down the fort at center while Miles McBride may get a chance to run the offense at point guard.

The Knicks are locked into the three-seed in the East, so there may not be much motivation to play the starters other than Mikal Bridges (he has not missed a game this season). Anunoby and Hart sat out Thursday’s loss to the Pistons, resulting in Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa moving into the starting lineup. They’re the likely replacements if OG and Josh do not play.

Shamet has not been a factor in fantasy basketball, but he’s made at least one three-pointer in 12 straight games. The five he hit on Friday were the most in a game for the Knicks wing since April 1, when Shamet knocked down six in a win over the 76ers. With Miles McBride (12/1/1/1 with three three-pointers in 18 minutes) being New York’s best bench scorer, Shamet’s production will be needed in the playoffs. Despite Friday’s loss, the Knicks clinched the three-seed due to Indiana’s loss to Orlando. They’ll face Detroit in the first round, which begins next weekend.

Anunoby and Hart are back after sitting out Thursday’s loss to the Pistons. Their returns mean Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa will come off the bench. How much Anunoby and Hart play could depend on the scoreboard, as the Knicks are one win or a Pacers’ loss from securing the third seed in the East. The lone change to the starting lineup is Mitchell Robinson, who starts for Karl-Anthony Towns (knee).

New York is being cautious with Brunson’s ankle and Anunoby is in danger of missing his second straight game. Miles McBride and Precious Achiuwa both have a shot at spot starts if the aforementioned starters miss time.

While the Knicks’ loss of control of Thursday’s game during the second half was concerning, so was Brunson’s suffering another ankle injury. The All-Star point guard rolled his left ankle early in the third quarter and did not return until late in the fourth. That made a bad night even worse for Brunson, who shot 33.3 percent from the field and 40 percent from the foul line. If he’s unable to play on Friday against the Cavaliers, Miles McBride (12/2/6/4 with two three-pointers) will slide into the starting point guard role.

The Knicks are down two starters for Thursday’s game, which could be a first-round preview. Josh Hart and OG Anunoby are out, and they’ve been replaced in the lineup by McBride and Achiuwa. While both players are worth streaming in deep leagues, McBride offers a higher fantasy ceiling.