Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports/Sipa USA
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Game 3: Eastern Conference Playoffs – Second round
After losing both games on the road, the Indiana Pacers need to step up when they host the New York Knicks at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday.
Is this the season for the Knicks?
The New York Knicks have been phenomenal all playoffs and have a 2-0 lead in the series against the Pacers. They had a strong third quarter in Game 2, winning that period by 18 points, which was crucial to the 130-121 win. Jalen Brunson scored 29 points, and Donte DiVincenzo and OJ Anunoby added 28 each. The Knicks shot a fantastic 57% from the field.
The Pacers need to step up
The Indiana Pacers were close in both of the games in New York but are coming back home empty-handed. They will be under pressure after losing two games. They also shot over 50% from the field but missed seven free throws and had 10 fewer rebounds than the Knicks. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 34 points and nine assists, and Obi Toppin had 20 points off the bench.
Betting Trends
The Knicks have won 7 of the last 10 games against the Pacers but the Pacers have won 15 of the last 20 games against New York in Indiana. The Pacers have won 4 of the last 5 games played in Indiana. They have covered the spread in 4 of the last 6 games against the Knicks, in 7 of the last 9 games played in May and in 4 of the last 6 games against teams from the Atlantic Division. The Knicks have won 11 of their last 13 games overall and the last five games teams from the Central Division. They have covered the spread in four of their last five games played in May.
Prediction and Conclusion
The Indiana Pacers were close in both of the first two games played in New York, but the Knicks are the team with a 2-0 lead. With the series moving to Indiana, the Pacers are aware that this is a do-or-die game for them. No team has even come back from being down three games in a playoff series, so the Pacers will try not to fall into a hole like that. They will need to pick up the pace as they usually do at home, and that will give them a certain advantage. Still, looking at the spread, the -7.5 point for the Pacers is a little too high. The Knicks have no pressure at all in this one, and they will be close enough to cover the +7.5-point spread.
