The Indiana Pacers (34-47, 14-26 Away) will try to overcome one of the NBA’s top shooting defenses when they are on the road to face the New York Knicks (47-34, 23-17 Home) on Sunday. Indiana was defeated by the Detroit Pistons 122-115 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday, their third loss in a row.
Buddy Hield was the standout player in the loss with 22 points and six rebounds. The Pacers are the 12th seed in the Eastern Conference. New York came up short on Friday at Smoothie King Center, falling to the New Orleans Pelicans 113-105. RJ Barrett had 28 points, seven rebounds, and six assists in defeat to lead the team. The Knicks are the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.
The teams are meeting for the final time this season. New York will be seeking a season sweep against Indiana after triumphing in each of their three earlier matchups, the most recent of which was a 138-129 victory at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday, their fourth straight head-to-head victory. Immanuel Quickley led the Knicks with 39 points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
Jalen Smith had 19 points in the losing effort. The Pacers have been led this season by Myles Turner (18.0 ppg), Hield (16.8), and Bennedict Mathurin (16.6). Turner also has grabbed 7.5 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, T.J. McConnell is dishing 5.3 assists per game.
Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson have been the primary providers for the Knicks on offense, averaging 25.1 and 24.0 points per game, respectively.
Randle also has averaged 10.0 rebounds per game, 10th-most in the NBA, while Brunson has tallied 6.2 assists per game.The Knicks are holding opponents to one of the lowest FG% in the league, ranking third at 46.2%.
The Knicks have had success in the last 10 clashes between the teams at Madison Square Garden, winning six. Indiana is looking to reverse a three-game losing streak away from Gainbridge Fieldhouse this season. New York has won three straight at home this season.
In the last 10 games, Indiana is 2-8 with an average margin of -9.8 (116.2-126.0). For the season, the Pacers are averaging 116.0 points per game, compared to 119.3 for opponents. New York has a 6-4 record over the last 10, scoring 120.5 points per game on average while holding opponents to 116.2 (+4.3 margin).
PACERS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
T.J. McConnell: 29.0 | 17.1 | +11.9
Points per game:
Jalen Smith: 15.0 | 9.4 | +5.6
Rebounds per game:
Jalen Smith: 8.0 | 5.8 | +2.2
Assists per game:
Andrew Nembhard: 9.6 | 4.5 | +5.1
KNICKS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Quentin Grimes: 30.6 | 16.5 | +14.1
Julius Randle: 9.0 | 39.2 | -30.2
Points per game:
Quentin Grimes: 22.8 | 11.1 | +11.7
Julius Randle: 3.0 | 25.1 | -22.1
Rebounds per game:
Mitchell Robinson: 11.8 | 9.2 | +2.5
Julius Randle: 5.0 | 10.0 | -5.0
Assists per game:
Julius Randle: 1.0 | 4.1 | -3.1
SportsTips’ NBA Pick:
NY Knicks -9.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
