New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers odds, picks and predictions
The New York Knicks (33-19, 2nd in Atlantic) wrap up their five game homestand as they welcome in the Indiana Pacers (29-24, 3rd in Central) on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
New York suffered its second defeat in three games as three starters -- Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby -- all missed the team's 122-108 loss versus the Dallas Mavericks.
To add insult to injury, Isaiah Hartenstein, who's starting for an injured Mitchell Robinson, left Thursday's game early due to a sore left Achilles.
The Pacers are coming off of a 131-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors, where two-time MVP Stephen Curry scored 29 points in the first half versus Indiana, and finished with 42 points and 11 three-pointers.
These two teams met not long ago when the Knicks took care of business in a 109-105 victory on Feb. 1 at MSG.
Can the short-handed Knicks get back on track against the Pacers? Here's my betting breakdown for this Eastern Conference matchup.
NY Knicks vs. Pacers spread: Advantage Pacers
After covering in seven straight games, the Knicks are now 0-3 against the spread (ATS) since their nine-game winning streak came to an end.
The Pacers have not been much better, going 4-5-1 ATS over their last 10 contests, but importantly have failed to cover in five of their previous seven matchups.
With New York likely down multiple starters, take Indiana to cover in this one.
They're 4-2 ATS when they've been a road favorite this season and are 13-9-2 in the following game after a loss.
Even though this line hasn't come out yet, I expect the Pacers to be between a three-to-five point favorite and that's comfortable enough for me to advise taking them to cover on Saturday night.
Prediction: Pacers cover the spread
NY Knicks vs. Pacers total: Bet the over
If both these teams were at full strength, this would've been a must-watch matchup as you have the best offenses (Pacers) against a top three scoring defense in the Knicks.
Indiana averages nearly 124 points per game (PPG) this season and ranks top-10 in field goal percentage made (46.6 percent), three-point percentage (37.8 percent) and three-pointers made per game (13.6 per contest).
Thanks to a 28th-ranked scoring defense, the Pacers excel at going over this year.
The problem for the over hitting an expected high line is not on Indiana due to a high-powered offense and an inadequate defense.
The way this game hits the implied over is if New York's offense, down multiple top options, can still take advantage here.
That being said, even with the Knicks expected to be missing at least 60 percent of their starting five, I believe they'll put enough points up on the board for the total to be the right play in this matchup.
Prediction: Bet the over
NY Knicks vs. Pacers moneyline: Pacers
Down their top players, New York failed to keep up last time out on their home court against the Mavericks.
Donte Divincenzo has stepped up in a big way with the absences of Brunson, Anunoby and more.
The former first round pick is averaging 28.5 PPG in February and scored 30+ in three of his last five games.
In fact, Divincenzo put up a season-high 38 points against these Pacers back on Dec. 30 in Indiana.
The good news is the Knicks, who were one of the most active teams at the NBA trade deadline, should have recently acquired Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic in the lineup after trading for the duo Thursday afternoon.
I do believe New York can keep it close versus this struggling Pacers defense. However, after Thursday's performance and potential chemistry concerns following two new players having to play a majority of the minutes, I think the Knicks will lose three out of four games for the first time since the New Year.
Bet the Pacers on the moneyline when the odds are available.
Prediction: Pacers 119, Knicks 113
