Week 2 of the 2020-21 NBA season continues Saturday, January 2, with six games on the schedule, so I’m getting a closer look to get you the best betting pick for the Eastern Conference showdown at Bankers Life Fieldhouse where the Indiana Pacers welcome the New York Knicks.
These two foes opened the season against each other, and the Pacers easily outlasted the Knicks 121-107 as 7.5-point favorites with a total of 215.5 points. This time, Indiana opened as an 8.5-point fave on DraftKings Sportsbook.
The Knicks continue their road trip following a tough loss in Tampa
The New York Knicks are 2-3 on the season following a 100-83 defeat at the Toronto Raptors who play their home games in Tampa, Florida, due to the coronavirus pandemic. The clash against Indiana will be their third straight away from home, as the Knicks beat Cleveland 95-86 this past Tuesday.
The Knicks had a terrible night in Tampa, shooting 36.4% from the field and making just three shots from deep out of 36 attempts. Julius Randle posted a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, but the entire Knicks’ starting lineup combined for only 52 points.
Randle leads the way for the Knicks this season, averaging 23.0 points, 10.4 boards, and 7.0 assists per contest. However, the Knicks score just 101.1 points per 100 possessions (28th in the NBA) on 43.6% shooting from the field (26th). At least, they surrender 105.6 points in a return, enough for the eighth-best in the league.
The Pacers had no troubles beating Cleveland
The Indiana Pacers bounced back from their first loss of the season (116-111 to Boston), easily outlasting the Cleveland Cavaliers 119-99 as 8-point home favorites. Now, they are 4-1 straight up and ATS on the season.
Domantas Sabonis had another big night, dropping 25 points on the Cavs while making 10 of his 14 field goals. The 6-foot-11 forward also had 11 rebounds and seven assists, and he’s averaging 22.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 7.2 assists per game this term.
All five starters scored in double figures against Cleveland, and the healthy Pacers are tallying 114.6 points per 100 possessions (5th) while yielding 105.0 in a return (7th). Victor Oladipo has 21.0 points and 5.3 rebounds a night, while Malcolm Brogdon adds 20.0 points and 6.2 assists per game.
Trends:
New York:
- 2-5 ATS in the last seven road games
Indiana:
- 4-1 ATS in the last five games overall
- 4-1 ATS in the last five games against Eastern Conference
The Winner Prediction
The Pacers beat the Knicks by 14 in the opener, but it was a one-point game late in the third quarter. The Knicks play solid defense, but they lack talent on the other side of the ball and will struggle mightily if the Pacers do a good defensive job.
Indiana has had some serious injury problems over the last two years. As long as they stay healthy, I will take the Pacers to beat and cover against the Knicks. Indiana will miss T.J. Warren (foot) in this one, but all other guys are ready to go. The Knicks are without a few players including Frank Ntilikina and Obi Toppin, while Alec Burks is listed as questionable.
Pick: Take Indiana -8.5 at -110
The Total:
Although the previous encounter between the Pacers and Knicks produced 228 points in total, I’m backing the under here. It’s a logical choice, considering the Knicks’ poor offense and quite a solid defense.
The Pacers can score a lot, but they don’t play at a particularly fast pace, averaging 101.9 possessions per 48 minutes (17th in the league). The Knicks tally 99.7 (25th) and will certainly try to slow down things after allowing 121 points to the Pacers in the opener.
Pick: Go under 215.5 points at -110