The New York Knicks (5-2) head west to take on the Indiana Pacers (2-6) Wednesday. Tip-off from Gainbridge Fieldhouse is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Knicks at Pacers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Knicks have been a strange team this season. They recently lost to the Toronto Raptors, but they were on a three-game win streak with victories over the Philadelphia 76ers and Chicago Bulls heading into that one.
Inconsistent is a good word for this team, but sitting at 5-2, not many fans in the Big Apple will be complaining. They’ll need that A-game Wednesday.
The Pacers have returned star G Caris LeVert, who has struggled with injuries the past few seasons.
LeVert, C Myles Turner and PF Domantas Sabonis make this Pacers roster dangerous and far better than their 2-6 record shows. The questionable tag placed on G Malcolm Brogdon will play a huge factor in this one as well.
Knicks at Pacers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks -108 (bet $108 to win $100) | Pacers -112 (bet $112 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +1.5 (-120) | Pacers -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 217.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Knicks at Pacers key injuries
Knicks
- PF Taj Gibson (left ankle) questionable
- C Nerlens Noel (left knee) questionable
Pacers
- PG Malcolm Brogdon (left hamstring) questionable
- SF TJ Warren (left navicular) out
Knicks at Pacers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Pacers 109, Knicks 106
Money line
BET on the PACERS (-112) as they’re just a different team with LeVert. It’s a small sample size, but without Brogdon against the Spurs, the Pacers put up 131 points as LeVert chipped in 16 points and 7 assists as his all-around playmaking helps them immensely.
Rookie G Chris Duarte is among the most developed rookies and has contributed immediately, and if you add Brogdon back to the mix this is a dangerous team.
They may not have the playmaking to down a team like the Milwaukee Bucks in the playoffs, but they should be able to defeat the Knicks, a team coming off an ugly home loss.
The Pacers are 2-2 at home and 0-4 on the road, so this team clearly likes when their home fans are backing them. This is the perfect opportunity for the Pacers to flex their newfound playmaking as they try to make up ground.
Against the spread
PASS on the spread.
At just a 1.5-point difference placed on the teams, I’d rather look at a team to win outright rather than take the point of insurance.
Over/Under
“LEAN” on the UNDER 217.5 (-110) as both teams have playmaking, but both teams also have defense-first big men. Getting 100-plus on teams with bigs like Mitchell Robinson and Turner in the paint for a majority of the game is easier said than done.
While the Raptors and Orlando Magic were able to expose the Knicks, it was guards OG Anunoby and Cole Anthony making outside shots that killed them, not anything in the paint.
Consistent shot-making is hard to come by which is why I’d bet the Knicks can tame an array of Pacers playmakers.
With both the Pacers and Knicks preferring half-court offense, respectively ranking 18th and 28th in pace, I expect a slower game and one that should end in the low 100s for each side.
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