The Pacers stand one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. Indiana leads New York, 3-1 heading to the Big Apple for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight at 8 p.m. ET on TNT and Max.
One of the key pieces to this Pacers lineup is SF Aaron Nesmith, who is dealing with a right ankle injury and is questionable to play today. We’ll give you the latest on Aaron Nesmith’s injury and whether he will play tonight in Game 5.
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Is Aaron Nesmith Playing Tonight vs. Knicks?
Nesmith sustained an ankle injury in the third quarter of Game 3 as Indiana looked to be in full control against New York. The Knicks rallied from a 20-point deficit to stun the Pacers, even though Nesmith returned in the fourth quarter.
Nesmith was listed as questionable for Game 4, but suited up and scored 16 points to help Indiana defeat New York, 130-121. Nesmith is back on the injury report tonight for Game 5 as a game-time decision after playing 32 minutes on Tuesday night.
Considering Nesmith received the green light for Game 4, there’s very little reason to believe the same won’t happen tonight in the franchise’s biggest game in 25 years.
Nesmith is averaging 16.5 points per game in the ECF, but has also been the main defensive stopper on Knicks’ leading scorer Jalen Brunson. In Game 4, Nesmith owned the highest +/- of any player in the game at +20, compared to -16 for Brunson.
Nesmith’s points projection at PrizePicks sits at 12 heading into Thursday. The former Vanderbilt star has scored 12 points or more in all seven road games this postseason, including his 30-point barrage in the Game 1 comeback victory at New York.
NBA Cheat Sheet Today: Find more picks for Pacers vs. Knicks Game 5 here
Who Will Benefit Without Nesmith?
If Nesmith ends up not suiting up, there are several other Pacers to keep an eye on.
SG Bennedict Mathurin posted his best game of the ECF, scoring 20 points, in Game 4. Mathurin compiled a total of 11 points in the first three games before his scoring explosion on Tuesday.
The former Arizona standout knocked down 11 free throws and shot 5-of-8 from the floor. Mathurin’s points projection on PrizePicks for Game 4 is listed at 6.5.
SG Ben Sheppard is seeing minutes off the bench for Indiana, playing 14 minutes in Game 4. It marks the third straight game that Sheppard has logged at least 13 minutes, but the scoring output isn’t there.
Sheppard has scored 11 points in the series, but has pulled down three rebounds in each of the past two games.
Aaron Nesmith Projections vs. Knicks
Here are the most popular Nesmith player picks vs. the Knicks tonight, via PrizePicks.
- 12 Points
- 18.5 Pts+Rebs+Asts
- 3.5 Rebounds (Goblin)
- 0.5 Assists (Goblin)
- 13.5 Pts+Asts
- 1.5 3-Pointers Made (Goblin)
Make Pacers vs. Knicks Picks on PrizePicks
The Pacers are on the doorstep of the NBA Finals with one more win over the Knicks.
However, Indiana benefits from Aaron Nesmith being active — which looks more likely after Game 4 — to help their chances at finishing off New York.
Tonight’s NBA Playoffs matchup in New York between the Pacers and Knicks Game 5 gives us plenty of top NBA players to consider on PrizePicks.
Just pick More or Less at least two NBA player stat projections to build your Lineup on PrizePicks. Use the players above to build your Lineups around, or build your own, up to six picks to win up to 2000x!
