The New York Knicks escaped with Game 1 on Monday night, slipping past the Indiana Pacers in the closing minutes thanks to a fourth-quarter comeback led by Jalen Brunson’s 21 points in the final frame.
My Pacers vs. Knicks prediction for tonight expects value in Brunson's scoring trend continuing, but not necessarily when it comes to his points prop. Let's dig into our NBA picks for this Game 2 clash on Wednesday, May 8.
Pacers vs Knicks predictions
My best bet
Jalen Brunson Under 7.5 assists (+114 at FanDuel)
Best odds available in your region
My analysis
Jalen Brunson is certainly capable of spreading the ball around. He averaged 6.7 assists in the regular season and jumped that to nine per game in the first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers. But in three of those games, he dished out seven or fewer.
In Game 1 of these Eastern Conference semifinals, Brunson had six assists despite the New York Knicks shooting 53.7% from the field and 47.8% from deep. That latter number should not hold up.
In the seven weeks to close the regular season after the All-Star Break, opponents shot 34.9% from deep against the Pacers, the 27th-ranked percentage in the NBA. Clearly, New York exceeded that and then some.
What the Knicks did not exceed was the usual 3-point frequency rate against Indiana. Since the All-Star Break, opponents took just 33.1% of their field goals from deep against the Pacers, the lowest rate in the NBA. New York came in at 28% on Monday.
Indiana does not give up looks from range, something the Knicks relied on in the regular season, and is an area ripe for assists. Without those chances, Brunson will not rack up assists before crunch time, and when the game is close late, he handles things himself.
Some books have raised this prop to 8.5 assists with heavy juice on the Under. That is a safe bet, but the value is in the plus-money at Under 7.5.
Pacers vs Knicks same-game parlay (SGP)
Jalen Brunson Under 7.5 assists
Jalen Brunson Under 2.5 threes
Knicks moneyline
Brunson went 1-of-4 from beyond the arc in Game 1. Making only one three is worrisome, but attempting only four after averaging 7.3 attempts per game following the All-Star Break is more notable.
That is the Pacers defense. Looks from deep simply will not be readily available, so fading Knicks’ 3-pointer props makes sense.
Yet, New York is a 5-point favorite and the atmosphere in Madison Square Garden should assure a 2-0 lead in this series.
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 2.
Pacers vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +5 (-110) | New York -5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Indiana +170 | New York -205
- Over/Under: Over 220 (-110) | Under 220 (-110)
Pacers vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- After New York won Game 1, this spread opened with the Knicks favored by 5.5 late on Monday, a number that slipped to -5 by Tuesday morning and then spent much of the next two days at -4.5 before rallying to -5 midday on Wednesday.
- Game 1 cleared the pregame total of 217 by 21 points.
- Fittingly, the Game 2 total opened at 221 and climbed to a peak of 223 before dropping on Wednesday morning, all the way to 218.5 and settling at 219.5.
- The Pacers’ offensive pace is seemingly immune to usual postseason sluggishness as five of Indiana’s last six have gone Over their totals.
Pacers vs Knicks trend
The Pacers are 5-1 against the spread as road underdogs of at least two buckets since the All-Star Break, including covering the +6 in Game 1. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Knicks.
Pacers vs Knicks game info
| Location: | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date: | Wednesday, 5-8-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
Pacers vs Knicks latest injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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