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The vibe at Madison Square Garden is a world away from the last time these two rivals met in a high stakes environment. New York enters Tuesday night with a 34-19 record and a serious claim to the second seed in the Eastern Conference after dismantling the Celtics on Sunday. The Knicks have been a buzzsaw lately, winning nine of their last ten games and frequently blowing opponents off the floor with double digit victories. It is a massive bounce back from a rough mid winter stretch, and Mike Brown has this group playing with a level of resilience that was missing earlier in the season.
Indiana is at the opposite end of the spectrum, sitting at 13-40 and effectively playing out the string. The season was derailed before it really began when Tyrese Haliburton suffered an Achilles tear in last year’s Finals, and the hits just keep coming for Rick Carlisle’s squad. They are coming off a 122-104 loss to the Raptors and are essentially trying to find a silver lining in what is likely to be the worst season in franchise history. This 7:30 PM tip off features a massive spread that reflects just how far the Pacers have fallen since they knocked the Knicks out of the playoffs last spring.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Odds
The betting markets have installed the home team as a massive double digit favorite, which makes sense given the disparity in health and recent performance. Be sure to keep an eye on the latest NBA odds as tip off approaches since these large spreads can often fluctuate based on late scratch news.
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
| Indiana Pacers | +462 | +12.0 (-112) | O 223.5 (-110) |
| New York Knicks | -638 | -12.0 (-110) | U 223.5 (-110) |
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Indiana Pacers Betting Form
It is hard to find a team in a more depressing spot than Indiana right now. The loss of Haliburton was already impossible to overcome, but Sunday brought even more bad news with Johnny Furphy tearing his ACL. He was one of the few bright spots in a developmental season. The roster is currently a shell of its former self, and while Andrew Nembhard and Jay Huff have put up decent numbers in expanded roles, they simply don’t have the firepower to keep up with top tier Eastern Conference teams. You can see the full extent of their struggles on the Indiana Pacers stats and results page.
The frontcourt is also in a state of flux following the trade deadline. Ivica Zubac and Kobe Brown were acquired from the Clippers but have yet to see the floor. Zubac is dealing with a lingering ankle injury and Carlisle has been vocal about not rushing him back. Depth is a major issue here, and the Indiana Pacers injury report remains one of the longest in the league. While they still play at a fast pace, ranking 7th in possessions per game, their lack of efficient scoring options often leads to long droughts that result in blowouts.
New York Knicks Betting Form
New York is playing some of its best basketball of the season, fueled by the return of Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby to the starting lineup. Jalen Brunson remains the engine of the offense, coming off a 31 point masterpiece against Boston. The Knicks have developed a habit of winning big, with seven of their last nine victories coming by double digits. They rank 9th in the league in scoring at 117.3 points per game and are particularly lethal from beyond the arc, sitting at 4th in the NBA with 15 made threes per outing. For a look at their dominance at MSG, check out the New York Knicks schedule and stats.
Defensively, the Knicks have been just as impressive, allowing only 111.8 points per game. They are a physical group that limits second chance opportunities and forces opponents into difficult midrange looks. The New York Knicks injury report is finally looking manageable, though bettors should watch for any maintenance days for the starters in what could be viewed as an easy matchup. The addition of Jose Alvarado provides some much needed grit to the second unit, ensuring that there is no drop off in intensity when the bench enters the game.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Matchup Breakdown
The most glaring mismatch in this game is the New York perimeter shooting against an Indiana defense that is perpetually scrambling. While the Pacers actually do a decent job of limiting the volume of three point attempts, they struggle with the quality of looks they give up. If the Knicks are moving the ball like they did against the Celtics, Indiana doesn’t have the personnel to close out consistently. I think the rebounding battle will also be heavily slanted toward the Knicks, who excel at crashing the glass while Indiana struggles to box out without a traditional anchor like Zubac in the lineup.
Pace will be an interesting factor to watch. Indiana wants to turn this into a track meet to compensate for their half court deficiencies, but the Knicks are perfectly comfortable playing fast or slow. New York’s ability to transition into their defense quickly should neutralize the Pacers’ fast break opportunities. Perhaps the only way Indiana stays relevant in this game is if Nembhard can find a way to get to the rim and generate free throw attempts, but against the length of OG and KAT, that is a tall order. A solid NBA betting guide would suggest that in games with a 12 point spread, the backdoor cover is always a risk, especially if the favorites take their foot off the gas in the fourth quarter.
- New York is 4th in the NBA in 3-point makes per game.
- Indiana ranks 15th in the East and is missing its top two scoring options.
- The Knicks have won five of their last nine games by 20 points or more.
- The Pacers allow 118.5 points per game on average.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Predictions and Best Bets
Laying 12 points in the NBA is always a sweat, regardless of how bad the opponent is. The Knicks are clearly the better team, but they have shown a tendency to play down to their competition occasionally, as seen in their recent loss to Detroit. However, the Pacers are so shorthanded right now that it is hard to imagine them generating enough offense to keep this within striking distance at MSG. I think the Knicks come out focused to avoid any embarrassment before the break, but I actually prefer the total here.
The Over 223.5 feels like the smarter play given how the Knicks have been scoring lately. They are averaging well over 117 points, and even a struggling Pacers team tends to find points in garbage time due to their high pace of play. If the Knicks hit their season average and Indiana manages to scrape together 105 to 110 points, this hits with room to spare. My projected score is Knicks 119, Pacers 108. I’ll take the points with Indiana in a reluctant backdoor cover lean, but the total is the high value target.
Best Bet: Over 223.5 (-110).
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NBA Picks and Handicappers on ScoresAndStats
Navigating a slate with massive spreads requires a disciplined approach and an eye for rotation changes. Our experts at ScoresAndStats are constantly monitoring the latest news to ensure you have the best today’s NBA picks at your disposal. Whether you are betting the spread or looking for player props, we provide the data you need to make informed decisions.
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