Teams looking to reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in at least 10 years meet when the 6-seed Indiana Pacers battle the 2-seed New York Knicks in Game 1 of their 2024 NBA playoffs matchup on Monday. The Pacers (47-35), who disposed of Milwaukee in six games in the first round, have not reached the conference finals since 2013-14. The Knicks (50-32), who knocked out Philadelphia in six games, have not reached the conference finals since 1999-00. This will be the eighth playoff series between the two with Indiana holding a 4-3 edge. Tyrese Haliburton (back) is listed as questionable for Indiana.
The game from Madison Square Garden in New York City will tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Pacers are averaging 113 points per game this postseason, second-best in the NBA, while the Knicks average 108.3, fourth-best. New York is a 5.5-point favorite in the latest Pacers vs. Knicks odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 217.5. Before making any Knicks vs. Pacers picks, be sure to check out the NBA predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters the conference semifinals in the 2024 NBA playoffs on a sizzling 94-61 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning more than $2,800. Anyone following the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Knicks vs. Pacers and just locked in its NBA playoff predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NBA betting lines and trends for Pacers vs. Knicks:
- Knicks vs. Pacers spread: New York -5.5
- Knicks vs. Pacers over/under: 217.5 points
- Knicks vs. Pacers money line: New York -227, Indiana +187
- IND: The Pacers are 47-39-3 ATS this season
- NYK: The Knicks are 29-21 ATS this season when favored
- Knicks vs. Pacers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Knicks can cover
Small forward OG Anunoby is coming off his most productive game of the postseason. In the 118-115 Game 6 series-clinching win over Philadelphia on Thursday, he scored 19 points, while adding nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals. He registered a double-double in Game 4, scoring 16 points, while adding 14 rebounds and three blocks in 47 minutes. For the playoffs, Anunoby is averaging 15 points, 6.8 rebounds, 1.3 blocks and one steal in 41.7 minutes.
Also making his presence felt is shooting guard Donte DiVincenzo. The six-year veteran played in a career-high 81 games during the regular season, including 63 starts. He has started all six postseason games and is averaging 12 points, 3.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, one steal and one block in 32 minutes. He poured in 23 points, while adding seven assists, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals in the Game 6 win over the 76ers. See which team to pick here.
Why the Pacers can cover
Power forward Pascal Siakam had his way in the first-round series win over the injury-plagued Milwaukee Bucks. In six games, all starts, he averaged 22.3 points, 8.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 37.8 minutes. Siakam had two double-doubles in the series, including a 36-point and 13-rebound performance in the 109-94 Game 1 loss at Milwaukee. He followed that up in Game 2 with 37 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers earned a 125-108 victory.
Also helping lead the Indiana offense is Haliburton. The 24-year-old averaged 16 points, 5.8 rebounds and 9.3 assists in 36.3 minutes against the Bucks in the opening round as he battled back spasms. In the 120-98 Game 6 close-out win over Milwaukee, he scored 17 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed six rebounds in 32 minutes. He registered a triple-double in a 121-118 overtime win over the Bucks in Game 3, scoring 18 points, while adding 16 assists and 10 rebounds. See which team to pick here.
How to make Pacers vs. Knicks picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 223 combined points. It has also generated an against-the-spread pick where one side has all of the value. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Knicks vs. Pacers, and which side of the spread has all of the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Pacers vs. Knicks spread to jump on, all from the advanced model that has returned more than $2,800 on its NBA picks this season, and find out.
