[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
The 6-seed Indiana Pacers meet the 2-seed New York Knicks in Game 2 of a best-of-7 Eastern Conference, 2nd-round series Wednesday. The Knicks lead the series 1-0. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET (TNT). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Pacers vs. Knicks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions.
The Pacers fell just short of stealing home-court advantage in Game 1, covering as 6-point dogs in a 121-117 loss. G Tyrese Haliburton had just 6 points on 2-for-6 shooting, but he pitched in with 8 dimes and 4 steals. He took the blame for the loss and vowed to be more aggressive in Game 2, but you really have to wonder about a bout of back spasms that has him forever questionable. If he’s compromised at all physically, this is going to be a short series.
Has there been a better story in the NBA than G Jalen Brunson in several years? He dropped 43 in Game 1, which marked his 4th-straight 40-point effort. He’s averaging 36.6 points and 8.6 assists per game in these playoffs. It’s a different style, but he really reminds me of Hall of Famer Allen Iverson but with a better supporting cast.
Pacers at Knicks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:51 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacers +155 (bet $100 to win $155) | Knicks -190 (bet $190 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +4.5 (-105) | Knicks -4.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Pacers at Knicks key injuries
Pacers
- G Tyrese Haliburton (back) questionable
- F Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) out
Knicks
- G Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) out
- F Julius Randle (shoulder) out
- C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
Play our free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Pacers at Knicks picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 119, Pacers 110
Moneyline
I’m erring on the side of … Haliburton is more injured than we’re aware of. In a close game on the road with a golden opportunity to steal Game 1, and you don’t have the confidence to take more than 6 shots?
The Knicks (-190) are priced out of my range, though, and Brunson’s O/U is 37.5 points, which is crazy. SGP KNICKS ML + JALEN BRUNSON 30 POINTS (-130) to drop the price down (SGP = same-game parlay).
Against the spread
The Pacers kept this within 4 even with Haliburton a non-factor on offense. So, I’m avoiding the spread here.
Let’s take a look at G Josh Hart. He has 13+ boards in 5 of 7 playoff games. He has combined for 19+ boards+assists in 3 of the last 4.
Take JOSH HART OVER 18.5 ASSISTS+REBOUNDS (-130).
Over/Under
Both teams are each 8-2 O/U in their last 10. We went way Over the 217 total in Game 1, and that was without much from Haliburton.
We’re going OVER 218.5 (-110).
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Ryan Dodson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.
Access more NBA coverage:
HoopsHype | Bulls Wire | Celtics Wire | Nets Wire | Rockets Wire | Sixers Wire | Spurs Wire | Thunder Wire | Warriors Wire | LeBron Wire | Rookie Wire | List Wire
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1368]