Knicks vs Pacers Predictions: New York Looks for the Finisher

The New York Knicks added a 121-91 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 5 of the East Semifinals matchup. With the home win, the Knicks are now just one more victory away from earning a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.

New York is headed back to Indiana for Game 6 on Friday. But this is the spot where they’ve lost two games in the series. Therefore, the Pacers are five-point favorites to win Friday’s potential elimination matchup. The total is also back to 216 for Game 6.

Below, we’ll discuss everything you need to know for Game 6, including our Knicks vs Pacers predictions.

Knicks vs Pacers Predictions & Trends

The Knicks have won three of the five games of the series. However, all of the outright wins have come at home. They’ll be on the road in Game 6, where the Pacers have won two games in the series. Meanwhile, the under has hit in three consecutive games, and the Knicks have covered in three of the first five games.

The Knicks are also ahead of the Pacers regarding the NBA Finals betting odds.

Can Jalen Brunson Close Out Game 6?

Jalen Brunson has scored 43+ points in two of the first five games of this series against the Pacers. He began the series red-hot with a 43-point game in Game 1 and then added a 44-point game against the Pacers in Game 5.

However, in two games on the road, Brunson only managed a combined 44 points against the Pacers. Those aren’t the NBA stats the Knicks are used to from Brunson. He essentially averaged only 22 points a game when facing the Pacers on the road.

Some analysts, heading into Game 6, are questioning whether Brunson can close out the Pacers on the road.

However, consider New York’s previous series against the 76ers. Brunson scored 41 points on the road to finish the 76ers in Game 6.

Indiana’s Tough Guy Act

In the second half of Game 5, Myles Turner and Donte DiVincenzo got into an altercation that led to double technical fouls. They talked smack at each other and had to be broken up by referees, players, and coaches before things settled down.

When asked about the incident, DiVincenzo exclaimed that the Pacers want to be tough guys. He followed that up by admitting that it’s not their identity.

Turner responded, saying Indiana was not good enough with the hustle plays, and that’s how they got beat.

The rivalry keeps intensifying as we head into Game 6 on Friday.

Are The Knicks In Indiana’s Head?

The Knicks adjusted their starting lineup and gave Miles McBride the start instead of Precious Achiuwa in Game 5. It made a massive difference. The Knicks came out red-hot offensively, setting the tone for the entire NBA game. New York scored 133 points per 100 possessions and added 49.1% of offensive rebounds.

The Knicks also turned the ball over only 10.2% of the time. They also didn’t shoot well at just 53.1% effective field goal percentage. But like Myles Turner acknowledged, the Knicks out-hustled the Pacers in all effort categories, such as 50/50 balls and offensive rebounds.

If the Knicks make the Eastern Conference Finals, they don’t expect to get O.G. Anunoby back in action until then. However, the start times for the ECF haven’t been confirmed on the NBA Playoffs schedule just yet.

Therefore, look for McBride to get the start for the Knicks in Game 6 against the Pacers on the road. If the Knicks don’t start off sluggish, they can outplay the Pacers and escape with the series win without playing Game 7. This would help the Knicks roster get even more rest before playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

On the other hand, the Pacers scored just 101.1 points per 100 possessions. It was Indiana’s worst offensive showing against the Knicks in the playoffs.

The Pacers, who are typically very good at limiting turnovers, gave up 19.3% of turnovers and added only 17.5% of offensive rebounds in the loss.

The Knicks defeated the Pacers despite only shooting a slightly better effective field goal percentage. Ultimately, for Indiana, it comes down to Tyrese Haliburton.

In some games, he’s a no-show; in other games, he’s red-hot from the floor and doing everything to put the Pacers in front.

In Game 5, he didn’t even attempt ten shots and finished with an underwhelming 13 points, five assists, and two rebounds on 5-for-9 shooting from the field.

Typically, the Pacers’ depth has at least one player finishing in double-digits. But in Game 5, no player scored seven points off the bench, including T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin.

Therefore, our Knicks vs Pacers predictions believe New York has figured out the Pacers. We’ll ride the Knicks at +5 and sprinkle some cash on them at +170 on the moneyline in this one.

The Knicks are surely in the Pacers’ heads going to Game 6.

For NBA betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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