Table of Content
The Knicks (-158) are favored by 3 points (-3) over the Pacers (+134) in this Eastern Conference matchup. New York is 4-4 on the season, while Indiana is 4-5. The over/under line is currently set at 229 points.
This game will be played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 ET and can be seen on MSG.
Knicks vs. Pacers Key Information
- Sport: NBA
- Teams: New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers
- Where: Indianapolis at Gainbridge Fieldhouse
- Date: Sunday, November 10th
- Betting Odds NY -3, NY -158 | IND +134 O/U 229
The Knicks Can Win If…
The Knicks evened their record at 4-4 with a 116-94 win over the Bucks on Friday, November 8th. Playing at home, New York entered the game as -6.5 point favorites and covered the spread with a +22 point victory. The total score of 210 points fell short of the O/U line of 224.
New York took control early, leading 32-25 after the 1st quarter and extending their lead to 66-47 by halftime. The teams played to a 25-25 tie in the 3rd quarter, and the Knicks outscored the Bucks 25-22 in the 4th to close out the game.
Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks to a win over the Bucks, scoring 32 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, shooting 60% from the field and hitting 4 threes at a 50% clip. He was particularly effective in the first half, scoring 13 points in the 1st quarter and another 14 in the 2nd.
As a team, the Knicks shot 47.3% from the field and made 14 threes, though they struggled from deep, hitting just 30.4%. Mikal Bridges added 17 points, including 7 in the 4th quarter, while Jalen Brunson contributed 15 points and 9 assists, scoring 8 points in the 3rd quarter.
The Knicks put together a strong defensive performance on Friday, holding the Bucks to just 94 points. New York was consistent throughout, allowing 25 points in both the 1st and 3rd quarters, and just 22 in the 2nd and 4th.
Milwaukee shot 43% from the field, including just 23% from three-point range, with the Knicks giving up only 7 made threes. The Bucks went 15/23 from the free-throw line. New York finished with 7 steals and 3 blocked shots.
- Through their last ten road games, New York has an ATS record of just 5-5. However, their overall record was 4-6 while averaging 107 points per game.
- As the betting favorite, the Knicks have an ATS record of 3-2 in their last five games. In these matchups their, straight up record was 3-2.
- Over their last three games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 1-2 vs. the spread.
The Pacers Can Win If…
After a 103-83 loss to the Hornets on Friday, the Pacers dropped to 4-5 for the season. Indiana, who were -6.5 point favorites, not only lost but failed to cover the spread. The game’s total score of 186 points was well below the O/U line of 235.5.
Indiana went on a 10-0 run early, extending their lead from 26-19 to 36-19. However, they scored just 57 points the rest of the way, including a rough 4th quarter where they were outscored 29-17.
In their 103-83 loss to the Hornets, the Pacers struggled offensively, shooting just 39.8% from the field and hitting only 9 three-pointers at a 31% clip. Pascal Siakam was a bright spot, connecting on 5 threes at 71.4% and finishing with a team-high 27 points, including 10 in the 2nd quarter.
Bennedict Mathurin added 22 points, shooting 100% from beyond the arc, while Myles Turner contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds. Siakam’s performance was key throughout, as he added 8 points in the 1st quarter and 7 more in the 3rd.
Even with a strong defensive effort in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed just 15 points, the Pacers couldn’t overcome the Hornets, who scored 29 points in both the 1st and 4th quarters. Indiana held Charlotte to 103 points on 42% shooting from the field.
The Pacers also limited the Hornets’ three-point shooting, giving up 17 threes on 34% shooting. Charlotte went to the free-throw line 12 times, hitting 10. Indiana finished with 10 steals and 4 blocks.
- In their last ten games at home, the Pacers have a straight up record of 3-7 while going 5-5 vs. the spread. The team averaged 112 points per game in this stretch.
- Through their last five games as the betting underdog, the Pacers have a strong record vs the spread going 4-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 2-3.
- In their last five games, the Pacers have an over/under record of 4-1 and are 4-1 vs. the spread.
The Lean
Not only do we have the Knicks winning this one by a score of 125-116, but we see them covering the spread. Our pick is to grab the Knicks at -3.
As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 229 and our model has the Knicks and Pacers finishing with a combined 241 points. Our pick is to take the over.
The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers head into Sunday’s matchup on different notes after contrasting performances on Friday. The Knicks come in riding high after an impressive 116-94 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, while the Pacers are looking to bounce back from a tough 103-83 loss to the Charlotte Hornets.
Knicks Find Their Groove with New Lineup
The Knicks are beginning to find a rhythm with their new-look roster, featuring offseason additions Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges. These acquisitions have bolstered the Knicks, adding scoring and rebounding strength. Towns showcased his scoring prowess on Friday, leading the Knicks with 32 points and 11 rebounds, while Bridges contributed 17 points. Meanwhile, Josh Hart and Jalen Brunson continue to play crucial roles, with Hart narrowly missing a triple-double (11 points, nine rebounds, seven assists) and Brunson adding 15 points and nine assists.
The Knicks’ balanced attack on Friday saw six players reach double figures, underscoring the potential depth of this revamped squad. Their victory over Milwaukee, a top Eastern Conference contender, marked New York’s third win by at least 20 points this season, building further optimism around the team’s potential.
As Jalen Brunson noted, “It’s going to take time to be cohesive,” acknowledging the need for continued chemistry-building. However, the Knicks appear to be finding their stride, with a versatile offense and a strong defensive presence setting a formidable early tone.
Pacers Seeking Solutions After a Tough Loss
The Pacers, meanwhile, saw a promising performance quickly unravel in their loss to the Hornets. Indiana overcame an early deficit to take a 13-point lead in the third quarter but faltered as Charlotte went on a decisive 23-2 run. The Pacers struggled to regain momentum, shooting just 39.8% from the field and a dismal 57.1% from the free-throw line. Indiana’s 83 points marked their lowest scoring output since a loss to the Miami Heat in December 2022.
Scoring inconsistencies have become a concern for the Pacers, with Friday’s game only their second double-digit loss this season. Despite early-season success, Friday’s performance highlighted lapses in execution, especially from beyond the arc, where Indiana missed 11 of their last 12 three-point attempts.
“We had a rough shot-taking night on top of everything else,” said Rick Carlisle, Pacers head coach. “Being unable to sustain the details that we needed to sustain is the disappointing part.” Carlisle’s comments emphasize the need for improved shooting efficiency and disciplined play as the Pacers seek a rebound performance against the Knicks.
Key Factors for Sunday’s Matchup
Knicks’ Balanced Attack
New York’s ability to spread the scoring across multiple players has been crucial to their recent success. With six players in double figures against Milwaukee, the Knicks demonstrated they can rely on various scoring threats. If they continue to receive contributions from multiple players, they could pose a significant challenge for Indiana’s defense.
Pacers’ Shooting Consistency
For Indiana, shooting efficiency will be critical, especially from the free-throw line and three-point range. After struggling to convert scoring opportunities on Friday, the Pacers must bounce back to keep pace with the Knicks’ high-powered offense. Improved shot selection and accuracy could be game-changers in a tight contest.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ Impact
Towns has quickly become a focal point in the Knicks’ offense, and his size and scoring ability make him a matchup problem for the Pacers. Expect Indiana to prioritize defending Towns in the paint while keeping an eye on New York’s shooters on the perimeter. Towns’ presence forces defenders to stay engaged, creating more space for teammates like Brunson and Bridges.
Energy and Defensive Adjustments
Both teams will seek consistency, with the Knicks looking to maintain their recent momentum and the Pacers aiming for a strong response after a disappointing loss. Indiana will need to make defensive adjustments to contain New York’s diverse scoring options and avoid lapses that proved costly against Charlotte. For the Knicks, maintaining defensive pressure on Indiana’s scorers could help secure another dominant win.
Bench Contributions
Depth has been a key asset for the Knicks, with players like Hart and Payton Pritchard providing valuable minutes. New York’s bench versatility could play a pivotal role in creating mismatches. Meanwhile, Indiana will need strong performances from their reserves to counter New York’s depth and contribute to the scoring load.
Outlook
As the Knicks aim for a second straight win and the Pacers look to bounce back, Sunday’s game promises to be an intriguing clash between two teams with playoff potential. The Knicks will look to build on their strong start and maintain their cohesive play, while the Pacers seek answers to offensive inconsistencies and hope to find rhythm at home.