The Indiana Pacers matched up with the New York Knicks in the NBA Playoffs feels right, doesn’t it? This classic East rivalry adds another chapter when Game 1 of the conference semifinals tips off inside Madison Square Garden tonight.
In my Pacers vs. Knicks predictions for Game 1, Pascal Siakam continues to set his teammates up for success just like he did in Indiana's six-game Round 1 upset.
The Pacers enter Game 1 as six-point road dogs in the Mecca of basketball tonight as I look at the spread and Over/Under while giving my best NBA picks for Pacers vs. Knicks on May 6.
Pacers vs Knicks predictions
My best bet
Pascal Siakam Over 3.5 assists (+105 at DraftKings)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
Pascal Siakam proved his worth as a scorer in the first two games against Milwaukee, putting up a collective 73 points before drawing the ire of the Bucks defense. A tighter watch on Siakam held him to a combined 61 points over the next four contests.
The New York Knicks’ stingy defense won’t let Siakam catch it by surprise in Game 1, but the athletic forward can hurt the Knicks in other ways. He displayed his passing prowess in that opening-round series, dishing out 4+ assists in four of the six games, including efforts of six and seven dimes against the Bucks.
Tom Thibodeau’s defense is a tough nut to crack but when opponents have success against it, those buckets come from ball movement. New York ranks 17th in defensive assist-per-FG percentage and watched the Sixers record an assist on more than 62% of their makes in Round 1.
Siakam’s assist prop for Game 1 against the Knicks is at 3.5 Over/Under, which sits right on his season average of 4.3 dimes per game. However, Siakam is logging more floor time in the postseason — with his minutes jumping from 31.8 to 38 in the playoffs — and has found his way into Rick Carlisle's playbook after being acquired from Toronto in mid-January.
Siakam finished the first round topping that 3.5-assist bar in four of the six games and closed the series with 6.7 potential assists per outing. Player projections sourced for Game 1 all come in above that total with a ceiling of five dimes from some models, while my number comes out to four assists from him Monday night.
The Over 3.5 assist prop ranges in terms of vig, sitting as high as -113 at some books, but if you shop around, you can find that same offering at +105 on Monday morning.
Pacers vs Knicks same-game parlay (SGP)
Pascal Siakam Over 3.5 assists
Jalen Brunson Over 2.5 threes
Knicks moneyline
Siakam will be the focal point on the Knicks defense, which will try to take the ball out of his hands. Player forecasts call for 4-plus+ assists tonight.
Bruson’s points projections range, with some flirting with 40 points. I’m not buying into that but I do see him knocking down 3+ shots from downtown.
Indiana was able to get pasta busted Bucks team and while they could give the Knicks a scare at home, I like New York to guard the Garden in Game 1.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Pacers vs Knicks odds
Pacers vs Knicks live odds
Get the latest Pacers vs. Knicks NBA playoff odds for Game 1.
Pacers vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +6.5 | New York -6.5
- Moneyline: Indiana +195 | New York -240
- Over/Under: Over 215.5 | Under 215.5
Pacers vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- Once this Round 2 matchup was official, NBA odds installed New York as a 6.5-point home favorite for Game 1. That spread has slimmed a bit, with the Knicks down to -6 as of Monday morning.
- The Over/Under total hit the board as low as 215.5 points on Friday night and has ticked up to as high as 217.5 points as of Monday morning.
- Indiana all-star point guard Tyrese Haliburton is listed as questionable for Game 1 after battling back spasms in the opening-round series with Philadelphia. Haliburton didn’t miss a game and is likely playing in Game 1 tonight.
- According to Covers Consensus data, 65% of picks are taking the points with the Pacers in Game 1. As for the total, 59% of picks are backing the Over on Monday.
- Indiana and New York met three times in the regular season with the Pacers winning two of those clashes straight up and against the spread. Those games finished with a 1-2 Over/Under record.
Pacers vs Knicks trend
The Knicks have won outright on the moneyline in 52 of their last 82 games (+18.40 units). Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Knicks.
Pacers vs Knicks game info
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date: | Monday, 5-6-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT, truTV |
Pacers vs Knicks latest injuries
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