New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Preview
The Pacers and Knicks are facing off in game seven of their first-round series at 3:30 PM ET at Madison Square Garden. The series is tied at three games apiece, and the Knicks are favored by 3.5 points. The over/under line is sitting at 207.5 points, and the Knicks are -156 on the money line compared to the Pacers at +130. ABC is carrying the game on TV.
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New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Head-to-Head and Key Stats
The Pacers and Knicks did not have any head-to-head matchups last season. But over the last three times playing each other, the Pacers have a record of 2-1. The Pacers also had the edge vs. the spread in these games, at 2-1. These games averaged a combined total of 213 points per game leading to an over/under record of 1-2.
- Although Indiana has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 109 points per game in these games.
- New York has a 2-3 record in their last five home games. In this stretch, they averaged 102 points per game while allowing 111. The team also performed well vs the spread at 3-2.
- In their last three games as the betting underdog, the Pacers have a straight up record of 0-3 and an ATS mark of 1-2.
- In their last five games as the betting favorite, the Knicks have a straight up record of 4-1, while going 2-3 against the spread.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
Thanks to a strong second quarter, the Pacers picked up a 13-point win over the Knicks in the most recent game of this series, winning by a score of 116-103. Indiana was favored by five points heading into the game and easily covered the spread. The 219 combined points surpassed the over/under line of 215.5 points.
Pascal Siakam had a big game for the Pacers, finishing with 25 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Myles Turner added 17 points and eight rebounds. Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 31 points for the Knicks. The Pacers shot 53.8% from the field, but they made just nine threes. The Knicks hit 13 threes on 38.2% shooting from beyond the arc.
Indiana has gone 50-44-0 on the over/under this season, and their games have averaged 238.5 points per game. This is significantly higher than today’s line of 207.5.
The Pacers have gone 25-16 ATS as the underdog this season and have failed to cover the spread in their last two road games. As the underdog, they are 22-21 straight-up and 25-16 vs. the spread.
In their most recent game, the Pacers defeated the Knicks by a score of 116-103. Indiana was favored by 5 points in that game, and the O/U line was 215.5.
Indiana is currently 6th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 47-35. Against other Eastern Conference teams, they are 32-20 compared to 15-15 against the West.
On the road, the Pacers are 22-25 this season, and they have an ATS record of 24-22 on the road. Their average scoring differential on the road is -2.0 points per game.
As the underdog, Indiana has lost three straight games vs. the spread. Today, they are getting 3.5 points on the spread.
Indiana is the NBA’s top-scoring team this season, at 123.3 points per game. They have been even better on the road, averaging 119.2 points per contest. The Pacers are also among the league leaders in pace this season, averaging 101.2 possessions per game.
Tyrese Haliburton has been playing well for the Pacers of late, averaging 23.4 points per game in his last five games. This has come while shooting 54.3% from the field. Over this stretch, he also hit 4.2 threes per game. For the season, he is averaging 20.1 points and 10.9 assists. Pascal Siakam is averaging 21.7 points and 7.1 rebounds for the season.
When it comes to defense, the Pacers have struggled this season, giving up an average of 119.1 points per game, which ranks 27th in the NBA. On the road, their defense has been even worse, allowing 121.2 points per contest, which is 28th in the league.
Despite their struggles, Indiana has done a good job of defending the three-point line, allowing opponents to shoot just 36.6% from beyond the arc, which is the best mark in the NBA. They’ve also done a good job of limiting three-point attempts, giving up just 10.8 made threes per game.
One area where the Pacers have really struggled is at the free-throw line, allowing opponents to make 25.6 free throws per game, which is 30th in the NBA. However, over their last five games, they’ve done a better job of defending the field, ranking 7th in field goal percentage allowed.
Today, the Knicks will look to avenge their most recent loss, which came against the Pacers. New York was the underdog in that game and lost by a score of 116-103. The O/U line for that game was 215.5, and the teams combined for 219 points.
As the favorite, the Knicks have won three straight games and are favored by 3.5 points today. In games where they have been favored, New York has a record of 41-12 and is 31-21 against the spread as the favorite.
Looking at their O/U record for the season, the Knicks are 43-50-1. In games with higher over/under lines than today’s line of 207.5, New York has an average combined scoring of 220.9 points.
In the Eastern Conference standings, the Knicks finished in 2nd place with a record of 50-32. Against other Eastern Conference teams, they went 35-17 and 12-5 in their division. On average, they have gone 220.6 points per game compared to today’s line of 207.5.
Julius Randle and Bojan Bogdanovic are both out for the Knicks. Randle is averaging 24 points and 9.2 rebounds this season. Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.7 points per game this year and 29.6 over his last five. In this stretch, he hit 45.9% of his shots from the field and 40.1% of his threes.
New York is 19th in scoring this season, at 112.8 points per game. Their home scoring average is 111.7 points per contest, which is 23rd in the league. The team’s pace of 94.8 possessions per game is the lowest mark in the league.
When it comes to defense, the Knicks have been one of the best in the league this season, ranking 5th in points allowed at 108.5 per game. At home, they have been even better, giving up just 105.6 points per contest, which is good for 3rd in the NBA.
Throughout the season, opponents have scored less than their season average 81.7% of the time vs. New York. However, they have allowed opponents to shoot 36.6% from three-point range, which is 11th in the league.
Over their last five games, the Knicks have struggled defensively, ranking 28th in field goal percentage allowed at 50.5%. However, they have done a good job of keeping opponents off the free-throw line, giving up just 19.8 made free throws per game, which is 4th in the NBA.
In spite of being 3.5 point underdogs, we anticipate the Pacers winning this one 114-109.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Betting Tips
- We like the Pacers on the moneyline (+130)
- The Pacers are also our pick on the spread at +3.5
- Projecting a combined 223 points, we like the over
New York Knicks Injury Report
- Bojan Bogdanovic – Ankle – Out
- Julius Randle – Shoulder – Out
- OG Anunoby – Hamstring – Questionable
- Josh Hart – Abdomen – Questionable
- Mitchell Robinson – Ankle – Out
Indiana Pacers Injury Report
- Bennedict Mathurin – Shoulder – Out
