The Indiana Pacers (1-0) and New York Knicks (0-1) meet Friday in a rematch of the 2024 Eastern Conference semifinals. Tip-off from Madison Square Garden is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NBA odds around the Pacers vs. Knicks odds and make our expert NBA picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: First meeting; Pacers won regular-season series 2-1 in 2023-24 and advanced 4-3 in East semifinals
Indiana narrowly escaped with a 115-109 victory over the Detroit Pistons Wednesday while covering as a 5.5-point favorite. The Pacers shot only 29% (9-of-31) from deep, but were helped by a combined 33-point effort off the bench from G T.J. McConnell and F Bennedict Mathurin.
New York was demolished 132-109 in Tuesday’s season opener vs. the Boston Celtics as a 6-point underdog. The Knicks allowed Boston to shoot 47.5% from 3 (29-of-61) and lost the turnover battle 11 to 3. The Knicks really didn’t play terribly vs. Boston, they just couldn’t contain Boston’s 3-point barrage.
Pacers at Knicks odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NBA odds. Lines last updated at 12:25 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Pacers +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Knicks -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Pacers +4.5 (-110) | Knicks -4.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 226.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Pacers at Knicks key injuries
Pacers
- C James Wiseman (Achilles) out
Knicks
- C Precious Achiuwa (hamstring) out
- C Mitchell Robinson (ankle) out
For most recent updates: Official NBA injury report.
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Pacers at Knicks picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 118, Pacers 115
Moneyline
PASS.
I like the Knicks to win and cover here as -200 favorites, but their ML is a bit too expensive to recommend. I suggest passing here and betting the spread and/or total instead.
Against the spread
LEAN PACERS +4.5 (-110).
Indiana’s offense should be enough for the Pacers to keep this game close, especially with New York’s defense not yet firing on all cylinders. The Knicks still have some things to figure out in terms of smoothly incorporating these new pieces, so the Pacers will be able to stay in this one and give New York a battle.
This is a lean because New York is the more talented team, and in theory, it is much better defensively than Indiana.
Over/Under
BET OVER 226.5 (-115).
This is an Indiana offense that is led by 1 of the best young point guards — especially in transition — in the league in Tyrese Haliburton. If he can play better offensively here than he did vs. Detroit, Indiana’s offense will look phenomenal yet again.
New York also has a very good offense, especially if F Mikal Bridges shoots like we are accustomed to seeing, unlike in the 1st half vs. Boston.
The Over is a safe bet here, especially because New York underperformed defensively in its Tuesday opener.
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