The Indiana Pacers play host to the New York Knicks in a crucial Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Saturday night. Here’s a Pacers vs Knicks Prediction. This article will include a Pacers vs Knicks Pick.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
The New York Knicks had their backs against the wall heading into Game 5, but they came out swinging and were able to keep their season alive with a dominant 111-94 home win on Thursday. Jalen Brunson led the team with 34 points, five rebounds, and five assists on 12 of 18 shooting. Karl-Anthony Towns was questionable before the game but contributed 24 points with 13 rebounds and three assists on 10 of 20 shooting. Mikal Bridges and Josh Hart each scored 12 points.
As a team, the Knicks shot 49 percent from the field and just eight of 29 from the 3-point line, but they were locked in defensively the entire game to keep the Pacers to just 94 points while forcing them into 20 turnovers. This was significantly better than their performance in Game 4 where they allowed 130 points.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers will be disappointed with themselves after putting up a lackluster performance in Game 5 on the road. Benedict Mathurin led the team in scoring with 23 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Pascal Siakam added 15 points with six rebounds and five assists, while Obi Toppin chipped in with 11 points, but no other player scored more than eight points.
As a team, the Pacers shot a miserly 40 percent from the field and just 10 of 30 from the 3-point line as they started the game flat and always looked a few steps behind after trailing by 11 points at halftime. Tyrese Haliburton was coming off a monster triple-double but finished with just eight points on two of seven shooting, while Aaron Nesmith finished with just three points on one of eight shooting.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last eight games following a loss.
- The Knicks have lost each of their seven previous playoff games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse following a win.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last six Eastern Conference Finals home games following a loss.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four games following a win.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Knicks have won three of their last four games as underdogs against Central Division opponents.
- The Pacers have lost three of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents following a loss.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five games as favorites against Atlantic Division opponents.
- The road team has covered the spread in nine of the Pacers’ last 12 games.
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.
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.
Pacers vs Knicks Prediction
The Knicks are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games, while the Pacers are 16-4 ATS in their last 20 home games. There was always a chance that the Pacers weren’t going to put forth their best effort in Game 5, as they were already up 3-1 in the series at the time. But they won’t want to play a series decider in New York, so the pressure is on the Pacers.
The Knicks came out swinging like a team playing for their season, especially on the defensive end, and I think we’re going to see another low-scoring game now that the series is at the business end. The Knicks have the momentum now, and they have already beaten the Pacers on the road in this series. However, I think we see a totally different game, with the Pacers getting off to a quick start and controlling the tempo.