The Indiana Pacers and NY Knicks meet Wednesday in the NBA playoffs Game 1 at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a Knicks vs Pacers Prediction. This article will include a Knicks vs Pacers Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers beat the Cavs in five games and are in the conference finals for a second straight season. The Pacers have won four straight road games. The Pacers have won six of their last seven games overall.
The Indiana Pacers are averaging 117.7 points on 50.1 percent shooting and allowing 112.2 points on 44 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 18.8 points and 6.2 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. Myles Turner is the third double-digit scorer, and Andrew Nembhard is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc and 79.5 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 33.6 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.5 rebounds per game.
NY Knicks Betting Preview
The NY Knicks beat the Celtics in six games and are in the conference finals for the first time since the 1999-00 season. The Knicks are 3-3 at home in these playoffs. The Knicks are 8-4 in these playoffs overall.
The NY Knicks are averaging 106.8 points on 44.4 percent shooting and allowing 105.9 points on 43.6 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.8 points and 3.9 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 19.8 points and 1.1 assists. OG Anunoby is the third double-digit scorer, and Mikal Bridges is dishing 2.8 assists. The NY Knicks are shooting 35.8 percent from beyond the arc and 75.1 percent from the free-throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 34 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43 rebounds per game.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last seven Eastern Conference Finals road games.
- The favorites have won each of the Pacers’ last nine Eastern Conference Finals games.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven Eastern Conference Finals road games.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in five of their last six night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last four playoff games as road underdogs.
- The Knicks have lost nine of their last 10 games when playing with a rest disadvantage against the Pacers.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight home games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in seven of their last eight games when playing with a rest advantage against the Knicks.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Karl-Anthony Towns ranks 1st in the league for second chance points (305) this season.
- Josh Hart ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for rebounds per game (9.6) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (5.6) this season.
- Myles Turner ranks 1st in the Eastern Conference amongst qualified players for Blocks Per Game (2.0) this season.
Knicks vs Pacers Injury Report
The Pacers will be without Isaiah Jackson due to an Achilles injury.
The Knicks don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Knicks vs Pacers Prediction
The Knicks are going to be favored at home for obvious reasons, as they have arguably the best home court in the playoffs. However, I like the Pacers in this series. While the Knicks have more household names, they’ve played their starters into the ground all year, and at some point that has to catch up to them. The Pacers are the deepest team in the NBA, and they play an up-tempo that only exposes teams further.
If the Pacers are allowed to get out and run, and they’re hitting their shots, the Knicks will be in trouble. Also, the Knicks are just 3-3 at home in the playoffs, while the Pacers have won four straight road games. The Pacers have also won five of the last eight games against the Knicks. The Pacers have also outright won five of their last six games as an underdog. I just don’t think this is going to be a cakewalk to the finals for the Knicks, the way some believe. Give me the Pacers and the points.