Indiana Pacers (47-3) vs. New York Knicks (50-32)
The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks are poised for a climactic showdown in Game 7 of the NBA East Semifinals. The Pacers, with a remarkable 47-3 record, find themselves unexpectedly tied 3-3 in the series against the Knicks, who boast a solid 50-32 season record. This decisive matchup is slated for Sunday, May 19, 2024, at the iconic Madison Square Garden, airing at 3:30 PM ET on ABC. As we delve into expert NBA Semifinals picks, the stakes couldn’t be higher with both teams eager to secure a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Pacers have been raging fire on offense since they average a monstrous number of points per game, 123.3 which is a league’s top! Besides winning every other game produced, sport shooting precision is at all times extremely high; the team field goal percentage of 50.7% and 37.4% from beyond the arc is something that is commendable. The team also has skill at passing the ball, with an average of 30 assists per game factored in, which has essentially contributed to the creation of great scoring plays. The fact that they play too rough leads to an average of 21.4 fouls per game, the highest in the league.
The New York Knicks have proved resilience and strategic depth but this makes sense because they are the highest scorers in the NBA, with an average of 112.8 points. Their rebounding is one of their major proficiencies, with the team grabbing 32.5 defensive rebounds per game, in the process they minimize the opponents’ second chances. The Knicks even hold good at three point shooting at 36.9% with the help of which they manage to keep up with the outscoring Pacers. The fact of committing fewer fouls that is 17.6 per game makes them superior contributors when needed the most.
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Game Info
| When: | Sunday, May 19, 2024 at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Madison Square Garden |
| TV: | ABC |
| Stream: | NBA League Pass |
Pascal Siakam (PF) vs. Jalen Brunson (PG)
Pascal Siakam is a fixture of the Pacers, scoring a mean of 21.3 points and rebounding for 7.8 points while averaging per game an average of 31.8 minutes. He can affect the floor decisively at both ends that makes him a vital player in the Pacers’ scheme but a turnover rate of 1 game can be an opponent against high-pressure Knicks’ defense.
Jalen Brunson has been spectacular for the Knicks, and as a direct result, he has taken on the role of the leading man with 28.7 points and 6.7 assists per game. His capacity to manage the game’s tempo and doing the key plays in pressure-filled situations will determine his worth especially with the high-stakes Game-7 scenario.
On the other hand, whenever Siakam will boss inside and assist the team and Brunson will boss the play, the game will likely hinge on the showings of both players. The non-state behavior of both players in the course of the game will surely have the sway over the result, with each having the opportunity of turning the result towards either side.
NBA Odds/Point Spread: New York Knicks -135, Total Odds: 208.5
The current betting odds favor the Knicks slightly at -135, reflecting their home-court advantage and recent momentum. The total for the game is set at 208.5, with recent trends suggesting a potential for a high-scoring affair as both teams have consistently hit the over in their recent games.
Indiana Pacers Betting Trends
The Pacers are known to cover spread among serious situations, going 22-19 against the spread in away games. The invincibility of their recent performance, which they managed to win 4 out of their previous 5 games, signifies their preparedness for the tight encounter as well, with the totals being over in their last 5 games, suggesting that their offense is on a steady improvement.
New York Knicks Betting Trends
The last 5- game winning streak of the Knicks show some balance between tactical play and physicality though they are unbeaten. They invariably lived up to this by posting a 23-17 record on the road while the total going over in 5 of their last 5 games, thus, the scoreline arguably leading to high-scoring crunch matchups at home could be an action to their advantage.
Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks 5/19/24 Betting Picks
Given the statistical analysis and recent performances, this game is poised to be a close one. The Pacers’ offensive efficiency might just overpower the Knicks’ strategic play, especially in a Game 7 where every possession counts. However, playing at home, the Knicks have the edge, making them a slightly safer bet.
For prop bets, consider betting on higher-than-average points for both Siakam and Brunson, given their crucial roles. The over on the total points is also a compelling bet, considering both teams’ recent scoring trends.
Look to place these bets on top live betting websites, where odds might shift in your favor as the game progresses.
