Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks Prediction & Betting Tips - NBA

Prediction published on 10/05/2024, 01:20  by Kennedy Kechula in NBA Predictions

The Indiana Pacers will welcome the New York Knicks for game three of their Eastern Conference semi-final matchup. They trail the series 2-0. The Pacers are seeking to tie this series with games three and four being played in Indiana. Despite trailing, Rick Carlisle’s men will take pride in how they battled in the first two games. The Pacers have led the Knicks at halftime in each game and have outscored them 128-112. They just need to shore up in the second half while maintaining their first-half explosiveness. The Pacers were defeated 130-121 in game two after leading 73-63 at the half. Tyrese Haliburton had his best game of these playoffs and led all other scorers with a 34-point night. The Pacers, who haven’t lost at home in the postseason, defeated the Bucks 4-2 in the first round. They are averaging 114.5 points a game, the best tally in the playoffs, and are shooting 48.9% from the field. Haliburton has been dealing with back spasms and is questionable once again while Bennedict Mathurin is out.

The Knicks have defended home court in the first two games in both round one and two. Arriving with the advantage should give them confidence to disrupt Indiana’s home court advantage for the next two games. Tom Thibodeau’s men eliminated the Sixers in the first round in six games. In that series, they took the first two games and proceeded to go 3-1 up as the series switched to Philadelphia. They will hope for the very least to split the next two games with the Pacers. It is much easier said and done as the Pacers haven’t lost at home in eight games. The Knicks also are dealing with fresh injury concerns. O.G. Anunoby did not finish game two after suffering a hamstring injury in the third quarter. He has been ruled out for this game. It is a big blow as the forward has been the Knicks’ best defender and is also averaging 16.4 points in the postseason. Jalen Brunson, the top points-getter in the playoffs, also suffered an injury in game two. He however managed to finish the game but is questionable for this trip. The Knicks have already had to do without Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic and Mitchell Robinson. They are averaging 112.6 points in the playoffs and shooting 46.8% from the field.