The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks collide at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night. Here’s a Pacers vs Knicks Prediction.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have been in decent shape as they’ve won five of their last nine games overall, but they will be hoping to bounce back here after having their two-game win streak halted by the Warriors in an ugly 131-109 home loss on Thursday. Pascal Siakam led the team in scoring with 16 points and eight rebounds, Myles Turner added 15 points while Aaron Nesmith chipped in with 13 points and five steals. As a team, the Pacers shot 48 percent from the field and 12 of 31 from the 3-point line, but they were always fighting an uphill battle in this one after allowing an unforgivable 45 poinst in the first quarter. The Pacers simply had no answer for the Warriors’ Stephen Curry who drained 11 3-pointers to finish with a game-high 42 points on 15 of 22 shooting.
New York Knicks
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks look to have cooled off from their nine-game win streak as they have now lost two of their last three games and they will be looking for a better performance after getting routed by the Mavericks in a 122-108 loss on Thursday. Donte DiVincenzo led the team with 36 points on 13 of 26 shooting, Josh Hart racked up a triple-double of 23 points with 10 rebounds and 12 assists while Miles McBride chipped in with 21 points and five assists. As a team, the Knicks shot 44 percent from the field and 14 of 37 from the 3-point line, but the writing was on the wall early in this one as the Knicks fell behind right away and trailed by 20 points before they started to gain any traction.
New York Knicks Team Facts
- The Knicks have won each of their last eight home games following a loss.
- The favorites have covered the spread in eight of the last nine games between the Pacers and Knicks.
- Each of the Knicks’ last eight night games against Eastern Conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
Indiana Pacers Team Facts
- The Pacers have won each of their last six night games against the Knicks following a home loss.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in eight of their last nine night games following a home loss.
- Each of the Pacers’ last seven Saturday games as road favorites have gone OVER the total points line.
Pacers vs Knicks Prediction
The Pacers could be shorthanded again with Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Smith both listed as questionable, while the Knicks are still without Julius Randle and OG Anunoby with Jalen Brunson currently listed as questionable. Be sure to check the lineups before tipoff, but assuming that the Knicks are still missing most of their starting lineup, I have to lean towards the Pacers who will surely come out swinging after getting humbled in their last game. This should be close, but I think the Pacers escape with the narrow win and cover here.