The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks duke it out in a pivotal NBAGame 2 at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. Here’s a NY Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers will be hoping to square up the series after coming up just short to the Knicks in a 121-117 loss in Game 1 on Monday. Myles Turner led the team in scoring with 23 points on eight of 16 shooting, Pascal Siakam added 19 points with six rebounds and five assists, TJ McConnell added 18 points in just 22 minutes off the bench while Aaron Nesmith and Obi Toppin scored 12 points apiece. As a team, the Pacers shot 52 percent from the field and 10 of 26 from the 3-point line as they looked to be in control when they poured in 31 points in the second quarter to lead for most of the contest, until they went cold and scored just eight points in the final 4:26 to allow the Knicks off the hook in the end. Tyrese Haliburton had a forgettable game as he finished with just six points on two of six shooting in 36 minutes of action.
New York Knicks
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks will have their eyes set on going up 2-0 in the series after taking care of business in a gritty win on Monday. Jalen Brunson led from the front with a game-high 43 points with six rebounds and six assists, Donte DiVincenzo added 25 points while Josh Hart chipped in with 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. As a team, the Knicks shot 53 percent from the field and 11 of 23 from the 3-point line as they struggled to match the Pacers early on and trailed for most of the match, before they closed the final 4:04 on a 17-8 run to come away with the important win at home. The Knicks got just three points from their bench, but that was because they were getting plenty of production from their starters, who all finished in double figures in scoring.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Pacers have lost each of their last six playoff games against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The home team has won each of the Knicks’ last six Eastern Conference Semifinals games.
- The home team has covered the spread in five of the last six playoff games between the Pacers and Knicks.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five playoff games against Atlantic Division opponents.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last 10 games following a loss.
- The Knicks have lost eight of their last nine Eastern Conference Semifinals games against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last 10 games following a loss.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games following a win.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Pacers’ last eight Wednesday games as underdogs have gone OVER the total points line.
- Nine of the Knicks’ last 10 night games have gone OVER the total points line.
NY Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
The Pacers could be shorthanded for this one with Tyrese Haliburton listed as questionable once again, while the Knicks are still missing Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic. The Pacers really looked like they were set to pull off the upset in Game 1, but they couldn’t find their offense when it mattered most, and it cost them. Haliburton wasn’t at his best and is once again questionable with back spasms. I am more comfortable taking the Knicks to go up 2-0 in the series thanks to another big game from Brunson, who has been on fire in these playoffs. I’m sure we’re about to see another close contest, but I think the line is short enough, so I am going with the Knicks to get the job again at home.