Knicks vs. Pacers odds, predictions, best player prop bets for Game 6 of NBA Playoffs series | Sporting News

The New York Knicks have arrived at the precipice of their first Eastern Conference finals appearance since 2000, where they ironically lost to Indiana. The Pacers are on the brink of elimination, but have to feel good about their chances to force a Game 7 given their form at home in these playoffs.

Indiana has won all five of its games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, eliminating the Bucks there and evening this series against the Knicks at 2-2 after dropping the first two games at Madison Square Garden through frustratingly close losses. The organization sent what it felt were 78 missed calls that went New York’s way in the opening two games, narrowly survived in Game 3 and then dominated Game 4. 

The Knicks returned the favor in imposing their will on Tuesday night in a 121-91 rout after losing 121-89 on Sunday, and will now be in a position of strength despite heading back out on the road because they have an extra day in between games to heal nagging injuries and restore some of their energy. 

There’s no mystery over who the deeper team in this Eastern Conference 2-6 matchup is. Tom Thibodeau has had to overcome injuries to his entire starting frontcourt this season.

Knicks vs. Pacers odds and predictions therefore must weigh how much the visitors have left in the tank since there’s a sense of urgency to put this series away given the fact a short turnaround that would favor Indiana is in play since Game 7 would be played Sunday afternoon in New York.

Knicks vs. Pacers odds: Point spread, moneyline, total

Here are the latest NBA betting odds
for New York vs. Indiana Game 6 at top-rated US sportsbooks
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New York Knicks betting news and analysis

Jalen Brunson bounced back from shooting a brutal 6-for-17 in Game 4 to go 18-for-35 on Tuesday, finishing with a series-high 44 points. He’s now surpassed Joel Embiid for the highest scoring average this postseason, clocking in at 33.9 points per game while also dishing out 7.5 assists. He’s now scored 40 or more five times, and has seemingly figured out how to be effective against Aaron Nesmith, who replaced Andrew Nembhard as Indiana’s primary defender against him. 

Brunson has been dealing with foot pain that isn’t likely to heal overnight, but it’s obviously not limiting him when he finds his rhythm in-game. When he’s going, the other Knicks can do their thing.

College teammates Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo can be themselves, and after being no-shows on Sunday, combined for 26 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and each blocked a shot in Game 5. They contributed immensely to a blowout win despite combining to shoot 2-for-13 from 3-point range. 

Indiana is cooked if those two rediscover their stroke. Even with a thin bench, Thibodeau is getting great contributions from Alec Burks and Precious Achiuwa and had his tweak of inserting Miles McBride into the starting five work out marvelously, so there are no more surprises coming. For New York, it’s all about execution now.

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Indiana Pacers betting news and analysis

Tyrese Haliburton was in the MVP conversation before nagging injuries set in. Haliburton has been a shell of himself against the Knicks in two of the three losses, scoring six points in Game 1 and 13 in Game 5. He had 34 points in Game 2 and averaged 27.5 in Indy’s two home wins.

In playoff games where the Pacers’ star has shot at least 15 times, his team is 5-1. When he fails to hit that number, they’re 1-4. No one is asking him to force the issue since he’s a pass-first point guard first and foremost, but he must be more aggressive.

Carlisle will likely continue to ride Nesmith as the primary defender on Brunson, but has to consider giving TJ McConnell more minutes since he’s been more effective than Nembhard against New York’s star guard. Myles Turner has been abused on the boards and has to be more than just a 3-point shooting shot blocker. 

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Knicks vs. Pacers prop picks

Isaiah Hartenstein can be a beast on the glass, as was the case in Game 5, in which 12 of his 17 rebounds came on the offensive end. Still, we’ll fade his rebound total of . Limiting him is going to be a priority and he’d only reached double-digit boards once in the first four games.

DiVincenzo went 18-for-32 from beyond the arc in the first three games but has gone 1-for-13 over the last two, while Hart shot 16-for-37 (43%) against the 76ers and went 3-for-6 over the first three games in this series, so their contributions shooting the ball will play a large role. DiVincenzo has taken at least six 3-pointers in 10 of 12 playoff games thus far, so backing him to top makes at plus money is worth a shot.

Pascal Siakam’s points total is set at . Although he’s been Indiana’s most consistent scorer, he’s got the highest number on a team that prefers to push and take the best first look, riding him in sets only when the offense bogs down. OG Anunoby’s absence makes him appealing, but he’s only topped 21 points twice in five games, managing to score 22 on Tuesday. He’s only scored 22 or more points in consecutive games once since April began, doing so to open the postseason against Milwaukee.

Knicks vs. Pacers ATS prediction

Indiana has scored 120 or more points in all but one of their five home games in these playoffs. While it did take OT for that to happen in Game 3 of the Bucks series, the Pacers will force Game 7 or go down swinging by playing their style, pushing whenever possible to try and take advantage of their edge in depth. Expect a high-scoring game on Friday night.

Pick: OVER