The New York Knicks (16-17) host the Indiana Pacers (15-16) Saturday at Madison Square Garden for an 8 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we analyze the Pacers-Knicks odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.
Indiana lost at the Boston Celtics as 2.5-point road underdogs Friday for a second consecutive loss. The Pacers are 3-7 overall and ATS over their last 10 games and have been surpassed by the Knicks in the Eastern Conference standings.
New York has alternated wins and losses in the past five games with its previous outing being a 140-121 home victory over the Sacramento Kings Thursday. The Knicks are trending up as they are currently tied for the 5-seed in the East. They’re 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
The Knicks upset the Pacers 106-102 Jan. 2 in their first meeting this season. Indiana is 4-2 overall in the last six meetings with New York but only 2-4 ATS.
Pacers at Knicks: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:45 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Pacers -125 (bet $125 to win $100) | Knicks +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread/ATS: Pacers -1.5 (-110) | Knicks +1.5 (-110)
- Over/Under: 218.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
Pacers at Knicks: Key injuries
Pacers
- SG Caris LeVert (medical condition) out
- SF T.J. Warren (foot) out
Knicks
- PG Elfrid Payton (hamstring) doubtful
- C Mitchell Robinson (hand) out
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Pacers at Knicks: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Knicks 112, Pacers 104
Money line (ML)
As long as the Knicks keep competing at this level, the intensity of the Garden is going to pick up as the season progresses.
At the moment, the Knicks are only allowed to fill the Garden at 10% capacity, but regardless they play much better at home. The Knicks are outscoring opponents by an average of 108.3-106.1 this season (compared to 101.4-102.8 in road games). These teams match up fairly well. However, New York’s edge on the glass will be the differentiator in this game.
The Knicks have the highest rebounding rate in February, which has led to them scoring the ninth-most second-chance points per game. The Pacers are 25th in rebounding rate this month and have given up the most second-chance points per game as well.
TAKE the KNICKS (+105) for 1.25 units.
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Against the spread (ATS)
PASS on the spread unless it gets up to Knicks +2.5.
Over/Under (O/U)
GIMME UNDER 218.5 (-110) for a quarter-unit only because I prefer the side over the total and New York’s offense is starting to come together.
But, the Under has cashed in five of the last six meetings and the Knicks are 1-3 O/U in their past four games with the one outlier coming against the worst defense in the Association (Kings).
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Also see:
- Report: Knicks’ Toppin to participate in Slam Dunk Contest (Rookie Wire)
- Bet Slippin’ Podcast: PGA Tour double-dip and what’s up with James Harden’s MVP odds?
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