New York (3-2) at Indiana (2-3)
When: Friday, May 17th 2024
Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse,
Indianapolis, IN
Time: 8:30 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Indiana -5/217.5
It’s been 24 years since the New York Knicks have been to the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks will look to end that drought on Friday night when they visit the Indiana Pacers for Game 6 of their second-round series. New York is up 3-2 after a dominating 121-91 win at home in Game 5 on Tuesday. The extra rest won’t help Knicks forward OG Anunoby, who will miss his fourth straight game due to a hamstring injury sustained in Game 2. The Pacers are 6-point favorites to take this game back to Madison Square Garden for a Game 7.
Indiana was dominated on the inside in Game 5. New York outrebounded the Pacers 53-29 including 20-5 on the offensive glass. The Knicks also outscored Indiana 62-36 in the paint. Jalen Brunson once again carried the offensive load. New York won every period and forced Indiana into 18 turnovers, while the Knicks turned the ball over just 9 times. The Pacers have hope coming back home where they are 5-0 this postseason and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
NEW YORK KNICKS
Brunson poured in 44 points in Game 5 for his second 40-point effort in the series and his fifth overall this postseason. Brunson is averaging 32 points in the series while dealing with a foot injury as well. Every Knicks player that stepped onto the floor had a plus rating, led by Brunson’s +31. Josh Hart had a nice double-double of 18 points and 11 boards, while Isaiah Hartenstein brought down 17 rebounds including 12 offensive. Alec Burks was a spark off the bench with 18 points in 23 minutes including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc.
INDIANA PACERS
Indiana’s defense needs to tighten up after allowing New York to dominate them in the paint and score over 120 points for the third time in the series. The Pacers weren’t terrible on offense in Game 5, but the turnovers and rebounding doomed them from the start. Pascal Siakam had the best game of the bunch, scoring 22 points and only having a -2 rating. Tyrese Haliburton scored just 13 points and took only nine shots. The Pacers are 25-13-2 ATS this season after a loss.
Prediction:
Despite missing key players, the Knicks continue to show grit and are remarkably on the verge of winning this series. Indiana was awful in Game 5 and should play better in Game 6. Still, the Pacers defense worries me and I think New York can score enough to at least keep this close, if not win.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
