New York (2-0) at Indiana (0-2)
When: Friday, May 10th 2024
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse,
Indianapolis, IN
Time: 7:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Indiana -5/225
The New York Knicks will look to take a commanding 3-0 series lead on Friday night when they visit the Indiana Pacers for Game 3 of their Eastern Conference semifinal series. The Knicks rolled to a 130-121 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday night, giving the Pacers their first two-game losing streak in over two months. However, Indiana has been a great bet at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where they have won eight straight including each of their three home playoff dates so far this postseason. Indiana is a big 7-point favorite for Game 3 with a total of 222.5.
The reason for the huge turnaround in point spread from Game 2 is not only the change of venue, but the injuries that have hit the Knicks. The Knicks overcame a 10-point deficit at the break to win Wednesday’s Game 2, however, both Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby were forced to leave the contest with lower-body injuries. Brunson was able to return to spark the comeback, but is listed as questionable for Friday night’s contest, as is Anunoby. Indiana has won nine of their past 10 at home while going 7-3 against the spread. The Pacers have also enjoyed plenty of success this season as home underdogs, going 8-4 SU and 8-3-1 ATS.
NEW YORK KNICKS
Jalen Brunson was forced to leave Game 2 in the second quarter with what is officially described as a foot injury. However, Brunson managed to return in the second half and scored 14 of his 29 points on the night in the final quarter to help seal the victory. For the postseason, Brunson is averaging 35.6 points and 8.1 assists per game. Anunoby stepped up while Brunson received treatment, racking up 28 points in 28 minutes before leaving the game. While Brunson, Anunoby, and Donte DiVincenzo led the offense, Josh Hart and Isaiah Hartenstein dominated in the paint, recording a combined 27 rebounds including 21 defensive boards.
INDIANA PACERS
Tyrese Haliburton finally had a big game offensively, but it wasn’t enough on Wednesday. The point guard went 7-for-11 from beyond the arc to finish the night with a game-high 34 points to go along with nine assists. That effort comes after Haliburton averaged just 13 points in his three previous outings including a dismal 6-point outing in Game 1. Pascal Siakam continued to lead the way under the bucket with a team-high nine rebounds and is now averaging 8.5 boards per game in the postseason. Unfortunately, the frontcourt struggled offensively, with Siakam (7-of-18), Myles Turner (3-of-11) and Aaron Nesmith (2-of-7) failing to help out.
Prediction:
Indiana definitely has the advantage coming back home along with the injury concerns for the Knicks. It looks like Anunoby will be out, but Brunson should be able to go. That alone makes me want to take what I think is way too many points. Indiana’s defense is a big problem right now. The Knicks should be able to keep up.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
