New York Knicks (54-34) vs Indiana Pacers (51-38)
Game Info: Monday, May 6, 2024 at 7:30 pm (Madison Square Garden)
Betting Odds: New York Knicks -5.5 --- Over/Under: 215.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds
The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks duke it out in Game 1 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night. Here's a Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks Prediction.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are coming into this game with plenty of momentum after outlasting the shorthanded Bucks in a six-game series in the first round. Pascal Siakam has been leading the team in scoring with averages of 22.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, Myles Turner is averaging 19.2 points and7.2 rebounds per game while Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 16.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and 9.3 assists per game. As a team, the Pacers are scoring 113.0 points per game while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 34.4 percent from the 3-point line. During the regular season against the Knicks, the Pacers averaged 123.3 points to beat the Knicks by 2-1 in the season series.
New York Knicks
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks will be brimming with confidence following their impressive 4-2 series win over the 76ers in the first round. Jalen Brunson has been on fire as he has averaged 35.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game, Josh Hart is averaging 16.8 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists per game while OG Anunoby is chipping in with averages of 15.0 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. As a team, the Knicks are scoring 108.3 points per game while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 37.0 percent from the 3-point line, but we all know that the Knicks' strength lay on the defensive end as they've allowed just 108.2 points per game all season.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Jalen Brunson ranks 4th amongst qualified players for points per game (28.7) this season.
- Donte DiVincenzo ranks 4th amongst qualified players for three-pointers made Per Game (3.5) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- T.J. McConnell ranks 1st amongst qualified Guards for FG% (55.6%) this season.
- Myles Turner is one of only five qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for offensive rebounds per game this season (12.7).
- The Knicks rank 1st in the league for opponent free throw percentage this season (76.4%).
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for points per game this season (123.3).
- The Pacers rank 1st in the league for assists per game this season (30.8).
Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks Prediction
The Pacers could be shorthanded for this one as Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable for this one, while the Knicks are still missing Julius Randle and Bojan Bogdanovic. The Pacers are certainly capable of taking down the shorthanded Knicks if they can kick off the series with a road win. There is an injury cloud hanging over Haliburton, so this might be a call you want to make just before tipoff once we know the lineups. This shapes up to be a close series that could go the distance, but the Knicks were able to get it done against the 76ers. I think they draw first blood with a solid win and cover at home behind their reliable defense.