Indiana (3-3) at New York (3-3)
When: Sunday, May 19th 2024
Where: Madison Square Garden,
New York, NY
Time: 3:30 ET | TV: ABC
Opening Odds: New York -5/199.5
A berth in the NBA Eastern Conference Finals will be on the line on Sunday, when the Indiana Pacers visit the New York Knicks in Game 7 of their second-round series at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are listed as a 2.5-point favorite with a total of 209. If you don’t like the spread, then you can bet the Knicks to win at -130 or Pacers at +110. Indiana was able to force the deciding game after Friday’s dominate 116-103 victory. The home team has come out on top in each of the first six games.
The Pacers rebounded nicely in Game 6 after getting crushed 121-91 at MSG in Game 5. History is not on Indiana’s side in this Game 7 on the road. The Pacers enter Sunday’s contest with a 3-9 SU record in their past 12 road contests and have also lost eight of their past 10 games at New York. Indiana is also winless in three straight Game 7 matchups on the road. The Knicks have not fared much better when playing Game 7, losing three of four, but the most recent Game 7 victory at home came against Indiana in 1994.
INDIANA PACERS
The Pacers received a group effort in Friday’s win. Six players scored in double-figures, led by Pascal Siakam, who recorded a team-high 25 points to go along with seven rebounds. Overall, the Pacers shot 53.8 percent from the field and outboarded the Knicks 47-35 with all five starters recording at least six rebounds. Indiana also outscored the Knicks 62-38 in the paint. Tyrese Haliburton has yet to explode in this series and put up just 15 points, but led the squad with nine assists.
NEW YORK KNICKS
Jalen Brunson once again led the Knicks’ offense with 31 points on Friday night, and has recorded 75 total points over the past two games. However, Brunson continues to struggle in efficiency, shooting just 43.3 percent over the past four games. Miles McBride was the only other Knicks shooter to reach 20 points on Friday. With OG Anunoby still sidelined by a hamstring injury, someone needs to step up to help Brunson’s scoring if the Knicks are to advance to the East Finals for the first time in 20 years.
Prediction:
I’ll stick with the home team trend in this Game 7. The Pacers don’t have a great history in winner-take-all games, especially on the road. Also, Indiana’s defense has allowed 121, 121 and 130 points in the three games in Madison Square Garden. That’s not going to get it done no matter how good their offense is.
Check out who Bobby Babowski has on his Free NBA Picks page for today.
