Indiana Pacers (54-41) vs. NY Knicks (57-37)
May 19, 2024 3:30 pm EDT
The Line: NY Knicks -2; Over/Under: +209.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The NY Knicks and Indiana Pacers meet Sunday in Game 7 East Second Round NBA Playoffs action at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a NY Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers look to reach their first conference finals appearance since the 2013-14 season. The Pacers are 1-5 SU on the road in these NBA playoffs. The Indiana Pacers are averaging 112.9 points on 49.4 percent shooting and allowing 110.9 points on 47.1 percent shooting. Pascal Siakam is averaging 21.2 points and 7.8 rebounds, while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.3 points and 5.1 rebounds. Myles Turner is the third double-digit scorer and Andrew Nembhard is grabbing 3 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 37.1 percent from beyond the arc and 73 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 36.8 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.6 rebounds per game.
NY Knicks Betting Preview
The NY Knicks will advance to the conference finals for the first time since the 1999-00 season with a victory here. The Knicks are 5-1 SU at home in these NBA playoffs. The NY Knicks are averaging 110 points on 45.5 percent shooting and allowing 110.5 points on 47.8 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 33.7 points and 3.6 rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo is averaging 16 points and 4 rebounds. Josh Hart is the third double-digit scorer and Alec Burks is grabbing 3.4 rebounds. The NY Knicks are shooting 37.6 percent from beyond the arc and 74.5 percent from the free throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 39.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 44.1 rebounds per game.
NY Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Injury Report
The Pacers will remain without Bennedict Mathurin, who is out for the season with a shoulder injury and hasn’t played since March 5. Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic and Mitchell Robinson are out for the season for the Knicks. O.G. Anunoby is questionable with a hamstring injury and hasn’t played since May 8. Josh Hart is questionable with an abdominal injury he suffered in game 6.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last 11 playoff road games against Eastern Conference opponents following a win.
- The home team has won each of the Knicks’ last 11 Eastern Conference Semifinals games.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in each of their last six home games following a loss.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six playoff games as underdogs against Atlantic Division opponents.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Jalen Brunson ranks 4th amongst qualified players for points per game (28.7) this season.
- Donte DiVincenzo ranks 4th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.5) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- Tyrese Haliburton ranks 1st amongst qualified players for assists per game (10.9) this season.
- T.J. McConnell ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for FG% (55.6%) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (12.7).
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (76.4%).
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (123.3).
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (30.8).
NY Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
You can make a case for the Indiana Pacers, and I wouldn’t argue with you. The Pacers are the fresher, deeper team, and the Knicks are losing players by the day. If being without Randle, Bogdanovic and Robinson wasn’t enough, the Knicks could still be down Anunoby and now Hart has his issue. At some point all these injuries are going to catch up to the Knicks, and getting a free bucket with the other side has value.
With all that said, the home team has won every game in this series. Also, the Pacers have won just one road game in these playoffs overall, while the Knicks have lost just one home game. MSG is going to be rocking. I’ll back the trend of the home team dominance. Give me the Knicks if forced to pick.
