Brad Penner-Imagn Images/Sipa USA
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers: An Eastern Conference classic
The Indiana Pacers are hosting the New York Knicks today at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
How good are the Knicks this year?
The New York Knicks are third in the Eastern Conference with a 4-4 record, including 2-3 on the road. They are coming off a 116-94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks which ended their two-game losing streak. The Knicks are third in the league shooting 40.5% from the field and sixth shooting 48.3% from the field. Karl-Anthony Towns leads the team averaging 24.3 points per game.
Are the Pacers a real contender?
The Indiana Pacers are fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 4-5 record, including 2-1 at home. They are coming off a 103-83 loss to the Charlotte Hornets that ended their two-game winning streak. Indiana is second in the league shooting 49.3% from the field and ranked shooting 36.2% from the three-point line. Pascal Siakam leads the team scoring 20.7 points per game.
Betting Trends
The Pacers are 4-9 SU in their last 13 games overall, 4-1 SU in their last 5 home games against New York and 1-6 SU in their last 7 games against teams from the Atlantic Division. They are 10-5 ATS in their last 15 games overall, 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games and 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games played on Sunday. Indiana has played over the total point line in 6 of their last 7 games overall, 4 of their last 5 games against teams from the Eastern Conference, and 17 of their last 19 games played in November. The Knicks are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games against the Pacers and 11-5 SU in their last 16 games played in November. They are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games against teams from the Eastern Conference. New York has played over the total point line in 5 of their last 6 games on the road and under in 6 of their last 9 games against teams from the Central Division.
Prediction and Conclusion
This is a rematch of last year’s second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, when the Pacers won in 7 games. The Knicks definitely had something to say about winning 123-98 in their first meeting this season. Karl-Anthony Towns obviously clicked well on the team, and the Knicks look even better. However, it is not easy to win in Indianapolis. The Pacers made many changes last season, and this season they look better than ever. They are coming off a tough and unexpected loss to the Hornets and will bounce back with a straight-up win tonight.
