The Knicks are up 2-0 on the Pacers, but it has been far from an easy series for New York. They squeezed out a 4 point victory in Game 1, and had to overcome a 12 point deficit to win Game 2.
The story of Game 3 is the injury to OG Anunoby. OG left late in Game 2 and has already been ruled out for Friday night's Game 3. Playing 40 mpg, he's averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds per game in the Playoffs.
Down Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle, and Bojan Bogdanovic, the Knicks were already playing a 7-man rotation. Their starters will play a ton of minutes, and they will rely on Precious Achiuwa and Alec Burks to pick up the slack.
Looking at the betting trends, both of these teams are on incredible over runs. The total has gone over in 6 of the last 7 Pacers games (7-of-7 at home). The Knicks run goes back to the regular season, with the over cashing in 15 of their last 20.
The Pacers covered a 6 point spread in Game 1 with the total going over. Game 2 saw the Knicks cover a 4.5 point spread with the total again going over.
The look-ahead line for this game had Indiana favored by 4.5 points, but the Knicks injuries have moved this line to 7.5 points at most sportsbooks. The total has plummeted from an early line of 225.5 to 222.
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Knicks | +7 | +250 | o223 |
| Indiana Pacers | -7 | -275 | u222.5 |
For our best bet, we are turning to the Indiana Pacers team total over 114.5 points. Indiana has scored at least 115 points in each of their last 3 games, 6 of their 8 playoff games, and 15 of their last 20 games overall.
If you like the Pacers tonight, but don't love laying 7+ points, the team total is a great alternative. While we do think New York tries to slow the pace tonight, with both Mitchell Robinson and OG Anunoby out, they are down 2 of their top defenders.
Give us the Pacers over 114.5 as our best bet for game 2.
After failing to reach this mark since Game 2 of the Milwaukee series where he dropped 37 points, we are getting back on the Siakam train at home for Game 3 against the Knicks.
With no OG Anunoby and a less-than-100% Jalen Brunson, Siakam will have an easier time getting 1v1 looks against weaker defenders and ultimately be more of a threat on the glass on both ends with Hart and Hartenstein playing 40+ minutes once again.
With Indiana favored to win, just remember that Siakam averages 3 PPG more in wins this season alongside 41% shooting from deep. Let’s ride the numbers here with the Pacers big man.
With the Knicks rotation rather uncertain with OG out of this game and Brunson bound to play less than his usual 40 minutes, we are sticking with an Indiana Pacer who we know will get shots up from deep.
Rookie Ben Sheppard has been lights out this postseason, averaging 6.8 PPG on 54% shooting from 3-point range. Against New York, he’s gone 5 of 8 from downtown while sporting a total of +30 through the series.
A positive player for Indiana, look for additional Sheppard minutes in Game 3 as they look to hammer New York with transition buckets.