NBA Playoffs 2024:

The Indiana Pacers earned another impressive victory on their home floor, forcing NBA Game 7 against the New York Knicks in the second round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs.

The Knicks and Pacers have won three home games each in this series. However, the Knicks will get the final home game of the series. Indiana has just one win on the road throughout the basketball playoffs. The Pacers are ultimately just 1-5 on the road. But if they want to advance, they’ll have to finish off the Knicks in Madison Square Garden in front of all the Knicks fans.

Oddsmakers like New York’s chances a bit more after looking at the current NBA odds. The Knicks are currently -2 against the spread and -128 on the moneyline. Meanwhile, the total is at 208.5, but the Under juiced to -115 for Game 7.

Let’s break down the Pacers vs Knicks Game 7 odds for Sunday’s showdown:

Pacers vs Knicks Game 7 Odds & Trends

The Knicks began the series up 2-0 against the Pacers. However, Indiana has won three of the last four games against the Knicks, including a Game 6 victory on Friday, 116-103.

The favorite has won against the spread in three consecutive NBA matchup games. However, the Over finally hit in Game 6 after three straight games of hitting the Under.

The head-to-head NBA odds have seen the Pacers win 6-4 straight up over the last ten meetings. The Pacers are also 6-4 against the spread. Meanwhile, the total has hit the Over and Under five times each.

Josh Hart’s Injury

Josh Hart suffered an abdominal injury early in Game 6 and was clearly uncomfortable throughout the game. At times, he “toughed” it out and played, but eventually, he was ruled out in the fourth quarter when the game was out of reach.

When asked about it, Jalen Brunson said he wasn’t worried but that you can “add it to the list.”

The Knicks have already played without Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson, Bojan Bogdanovic, and OG Anunoby in the NBA playoffs. Hart’s absence would be a major concern in Game 7. Only Anunoby has a chance to play Game 7 out of the group of four mentioned earlier.

“If his leg’s not falling off … hell, probably say that he’ll probably play.” Hartenstein also joked

TJ McConnell Has Been Indiana’s X-Factor

While Tyrese Haliburton added 15 points and nine assists, TJ McConnell was the major spark plug for the Pacers in Game 6.

McConnell added 15 points off the bench in Game 6.

Plus, in six of 12 NBA Finals games, McConnell has scored double-digits in points. He’s been the unsung hero for the Pacers and one of the most exciting basketball players in the playoffs. He’s made an impact the way Gabe Vincent made an impact for the Miami Heat last season.

When you watch the Pacers game, keep an eye out for McConnell in Game 7.

Are The Knicks In Indiana’s Head?

The Knicks have some real concerns right now. The basketball team can’t stay healthy and looked utterly flat in Game 6.

But you could say the same thing after NBA Playoffs Game 4. The Knicks lost that game, 121-89, on the road but came back to earn a 121-91 win at home in Game 5. The Pacers vs Knicks Game 7 odds still like New York’s chances.

Ultimately, that’s how the series has gone. We’ve had three consecutive blowouts. However, the Knicks didn’t shoot nearly as poorly in Game 6 as in Game 4.

New York shot a 53.3% effective field goal percentage, which was better than Game 5 at home. The Knicks didn’t grab 49.1% of offensive rebounds. Instead, they added 31.1% of offensive rebounds in Game 6.

The offense wasn’t the problem. It was the defense. The Knicks allowed 141.3 points per 100 possessions and gave up a 61% effective field goal percentage. In addition, the Pacers added nearly 44% of offensive rebounds and only turned the ball over 8.8% of the time.

Although the Kicks kept the Pacers off the foul line, New York was weak on the glass, rarely forced turnovers, and allowed some easy looks throughout the game. It didn’t help that New York’s leading rebounder in the playoffs, Josh Hart, had abdominal pain throughout the game. He didn’t have the same vertical and pop that he usually does on the court.

Hart has one day to heal up for Game 7. However, his injury is unclear at this time, and he’ll likely be unable to play.

On the other hand, there were rumors that OG Anunoby could appear in Game 7 of this series. It’ll be a close call, but he’s getting closer to making a return after hurting his hamstring.

Anyway, in the last two NBA games at home, the Knicks have scored at least 133 points per 100 possessions. On the other hand, the Pacers scored only 101.1 points per 100 possessions in the most recent road game and turned the ball over 19.3% of the time in that game.

The Pacers are super young and still haven’t consistently won on the road. The key for the Knicks is rebounding. They’ll really need Hart on the floor. At this time, it’s hard to imagine Hart not playing. He tried to play through pain in Game 6.

Plus, Jalen Brunson has been much more efficient on the floor offensively against the Pacers at home.

After Sunday, one of these teams will be on the NBA Playoffs schedule. The Knicks will finish off the Pacers in Game 7 at -128.

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