It’s been an up and down start for the Knicks (6-5), still shaking off their championship hangover. As for the Pacers (4-8), injuries have wreaked havoc once again. Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is sidelined, leaving Indiana without its top playmaker. Will New York take advantage on the road this evening against its banged-up rivals?
The Knicks enter today’s matchup as 8.5-point favorites over the Pacers, with the total set at 219.5 points on DraftKings Sportsbook. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Friday’s New York vs. Indiana contest.
Knicks vs. Pacers prediction, preview
It hasn’t been the smoothest ride in the Big Apple, although the team is showing signs of turning things around. New York has won four of its last five games, with the lone loss coming on the second leg of a back-to-back vs. Cleveland. Perhaps the biggest concern for the Knicks is their offensive ineptitude. The team is only averaging 110.3 points per game, eighth-fewest in the NBA. Not everyone has been struggling, however. Jalen Brunson remains effective (26.0 PPG, 5.2 APG) while Karl-Anthony Towns (20.9 PPG, 13.5 RPG) is a double-double machine. Getting more out of the supporting cast, especially struggling wing Mikal Bridges, will be crucial going forward.
On the other end of the floor, the Knicks have been stifling against most clubs. They’re only giving up 103.5 points per game, second-fewest in the association. To boot, Mike Brown’s crew is snagging the NBA’s second-most rebounds per game (48.1). That level of dominance on the glass extends possessions on offense, turning potential high-scoring games into a slog for opponents. The Knicks have allowed less than 100 points in five of their previous eight outings.
Things have been far more difficult for the Pacers, still missing Haliburton (hamstring). The point guard isn’t the only member of this roster dealing with injuries. Aaron Nesmith (knee) is questionable to suit up tonight, potentially leaving this backcourt more depleted than usual. Without its franchise cornerstone, Indiana is simply a mediocre unit. Rick Carlisle’s team is 18th in net rating (-2.4), a number that perfectly sums up this season so far. Granted, the Pacers have won two of their last four games. Competitive losses against the Hawks and Mavericks over the past two weeks have been encouraging as well.
The biggest issue for Indiana this evening could come on the boards. The team is averaging just 41.1 rebounds per game, sixth-fewest in the NBA. As previously mentioned, the Knicks are one of the sport’s elite squads when it comes to cleaning the glass. The Pacers will likely need a big game out of Ivica Zubac, one of basketball’s better defensive centers. The big man is averaging 10.6 points and 8.3 rebounds per game this season. Longtime Knicks heels Andrew Nembhard and Kelly Oubre Jr. will also do their best to wreak havoc on New York’s backcourt.
Knicks vs. Pacers pick, best bet
Logically, this feels like the perfect spot to back a sizable Knicks win. After all, the defending champs have been dominant against subpar clubs such as the Bucks, Bulls and Nets. With that being said, there’s something about New York that brings out the best in the Pacers. Even last year’s lottery squad hung tough with their rivals on several occasions. Three of the last four games between these two have been decided by single-digits. Indiana’s quick pace could also create some problems for the visitors tonight. Expect a close, hard-fought affair between these Eastern Conference foes.
