New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers: Analysis and Prediction – New York Knicks will host Indiana Pacers in the NBA playoffs Game 2.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Odds
New York Knicks Team News
After finishing the regular season in second place in the Eastern Conference, the New York Knicks didn’t have an easy task in the first round of the playoffs. They defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 4:2, a series that will undoubtedly be remembered for a long time. The New York Knicks secured victory in the first game of this series.
Despite trailing for most of the game, the New York Knicks managed to turn things around in the final quarter and secure a important victory. Once again, Jalen Brunson put on a show, especially in the last quarter where he scored 21 points, single-handedly leading the team to a comeback win. Brunson’s level of play is highlighted by the fact that he is the first player since Michael Jordan to score 40 or more points in five consecutive playoff games. Not even Jordan had five games with 40+ points and 5+ assists like Brunson. In the final quarter, he did whatever he wanted, despite facing several defenders. There has been much talk about Brunson’s connection with Donte DiVincenzo and Josh Hart, as they played together in college. The three of them scored 92 out of the 121 points scored by the Knicks in this game. DiVincenzo scored 21 points in the second half alone, while Hart played 48 minutes. In the first round of the playoffs, the Knicks eliminated the Philadelphia 76ers despite having lower shooting percentages than their opponents. However, in this game, they shot better from the field, free throws, and three-point range against the Indiana Pacers. One potential concern is the fact that the bench was once again extremely weak, scoring only three points. It raises questions about their long-term sustainability at this pace.
It’s certainly good news for the Knicks that they won the series opener, and what delights them is the fact that they won a game that was played at a pace more suited to their opponents. If they want to take a 2-0 lead in the series, Brunson must deliver another historic performance, and their home-court advantage at Madison Square Garden is a significant asset.
Indiana Pacers Team News
The Indiana Pacers finished the regular season in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Fortunately for them, they faced the Milwaukee Bucks, a team plagued by significant injury issues, and defeated them 4:2. However, they suffered a defeat in the first game of this series in the final moments.
Despite a questionable referee decision in the last minute of the game, which resulted in a three-pointer that tipped the balance, the Indiana Pacers have more reason to be disappointed with themselves. It was a great opportunity to take an early lead in the series and put immense pressure on the New York Knicks. Tyrese Haliburton has been out of form for a while now compared to the start of the season, but his performance in the first game was arguably his worst in a Pacers jersey, scoring only six points, an unacceptable output for a player of his caliber in such an important game. The team looked much better on the court when TJ McConnell was organizing the game, and it seems that having him on the court in the final moments could have tipped the scales in their favor. One significant advantage for the Indiana Pacers is their bench depth and the larger pool of players they can use. In the first game, the Pacers’ bench contributed 46 points, but it wasn’t enough. As the series progresses, the Pacers must find a way to counter the physical play of the New York Knicks, otherwise, the series could slip away irreversibly.
If they want to win this game and seize home-court advantage, the Indiana Pacers must find a way to match their opponent on the boards, as they were outrebounded in the first game. Haliburton needs to be significantly more aggressive because it’s unacceptable for him to take only six shots in such a crucial game.
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New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers H2H
The Indiana Pacers won two out of three games in the regular season matchups against the New York Knicks, but now the Knicks lead the series 1-0.
Absences and Injuries
Tip-off Time: Thursday, 09.05.2024, 02:00 CET
Prediction: Under 224.5 points
Odds: 1.74
Sportsbook: 22Bet
*Odds are active at the time the article is published
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