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

Prediction published on 14/05/2024, 00:53  by Kennedy Kechula in NBA Predictions

The New York Knicks will welcome the Indiana Pacers for game five of their Eastern Conference semi-final matchup. The series is tied at 2-2 after each team defended home court for the first four fixtures. The Knicks won games one and two at home. They will seek to extend this for this game after a tough trip to Indiana. Tom Thibodeau’s men held their own in game three as they lost 111-106. But it was a totally different case in game four. For the first time in these playoffs, they were held under 90 points as they were blown out 121-89. Injuries have been the major reason for their capitulation. The Knicks have had to do without four main pieces of their rotation. Julius Randle and Bogdan Bogdanovic have been ruled out for the rest of the season. Mitchell Robinson has been in and out of the team and hasn’t played since game one. O.G. Anunoby is the latest to go into the treatment room. The forward is the Knicks’ third leading scorer in the playoffs and their best on-ball defender. A hamstring issue has seen him miss the last two games. He will also be out for game five. The Knicks are averaging 109.6 points and shooting 45.5% from the field. Jalen Brunson has been the leading points-getter, averaging 32.9 points a game.

The Pacers have momentum on their side after winning the last two games. They will also be pumped up following their biggest win of this playoffs in game four. Six players scored in double figures in game four with Tyrese Haliburton leading the way with 20 points. The guard had a slow start to the first postseason of his career but he has since found his form. He is averaging 19.1 points a game and has scored at least 20 in each of the last three games. The Pacers played well in the first two games of this series and were close to snatching a win in game one. This should be extra motivation as they seek to take the lead for the first time in this matchup. Haliburton has been playing through back spasms and is expected to once again be questionable. Indiana haven’t had to deal with major injuries with only long-term absentee Bennedict Mathurin ruled out. Just like they did in the regular season, the Pacers are dominating on the offensive end in the playoffs. They are averaging 114.8 points a game and shooting 49.5% which are both the best records in each category.