Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Game 1 Prediction, NBA Odds
The Knicks punched their ticket to the East Finals for the first time in 25 years in spectacular fashion by knocking off the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics in six games in the second round while the Pacers return to the Conference Finals for a second straight year after rolling over the top-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in just five games in second-round action.
The Knicks lead the way as 4.5-point home favourites on the NBA odds in Wednesday’s series opener and are also pegged as -155 chalk on the NBA playoff series prices. The Pacers trail as +155 underdogs on the Game 1 NBA moneyline and also lag as a +130 bet to win this series. The total for Wednesday’s Game 1 matchup is 222.5.
Pacers vs. Knicks NBA Betting Odds
This series marks the second time in as many years these teams have faced off in the NBA playoffs. The Pacers needed seven games to get past the Knicks in the second round a year ago and have now topped New York in three straight playoff meetings. However, the Knicks earned the win in three of four home playoff dates versus Indiana in last year’s playoff matchup, and topped the Pacers in two of three meeting during this past regular season, including a decisive 123-98 victory at MSG on October 25.
The Pacers have emerged as a force during this postseason, both on the scoreboard and at the sportsbook. Indiana needed just five games to claim victory in the first and second rounds while compiling a 7-3 record against the spread. Overall, Indy has compiled an impress 22-4 record over their past 26 games overall and has won four straight on the road during the playoffs and nine of 12 overall. While the Knicks emerges as giant slayers versus Boston, they have produced mixed results at home, going just 3-3 in six dates on Broadway.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers should be well rested after enjoying a seven-day layoff in the wake of their stunning second round upset of the top-seeded Cavaliers. The club has received big offensive contributions from up and down the lineup, with a different player leading the Pacers in points in each of their five games in the second round.
Overall, former Toronto Raptors star Pascal Siakam leads the way with 18.8 points per game and sis second to Aaron Nesmith with 6.2 rebounds per game. “Spicy P” also tallied a team-high 24 points in the Pacers’ 128-115 home loss to the Knicks on February 11 but averaged just 13 points per game in two visits to New York this season.
Tyrese Haliburton turned in his best performance of the postseason in the Pacers’ series-clinching 114-105 win over Cleveland and leads the club with 9.3 assists. Overall, Haliburton averaged 24 points per game in the second round and offers good value as a -105 wager on the NBA player props to top 18.5 points on Wednesday night.
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson has led the attack as the Knicks look to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 1999. Brunson averaged 26.2 points per game in the second round versus Boston and enters the series ranked second among players still active in these playoffs with 28.8 points per game, earning him attractive +650 odds to claim this year’s NBA Finals MVP award.
Former Raptor OG Anunoby also played a big role in the Knicks’ Game 6 win over the Knicks, dropping 23 points and nine boards. However, consistency has emerged as a concern for Anunoby, who has followed up with single-digit point totals in the wake of three of his past four 20+ point performances.
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