Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. ET clash between the Indiana Pacers (13-40) and the New York Knicks (35-19) is the only Eastern Conference matchup on tonight’s four-game NBA slate.
Indiana holds the league’s second-worst record and is last in the Eastern Conference standings. The Knicks, meanwhile, are tied for second in the East and boast a 9-1 record over the last 10 games.
Let’s make a Pacers vs. Knicks prediction on spread and highlight player projections on PrizePicks.
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Pacers vs. Knicks Prediction, Spread
The Pacers and Knicks clashed in last season’s Eastern Conference Finals, with Indiana winning the series 4-2. However, New York won this season’s only matchup on December 18. Indiana still covered the spread, giving it a 5-2 against the spread (ATS) record over the last seven matchups.
In the last 10 games, the Pacers are 4-6 ATS and the over is 5-5. The Knicks are 9-1 ATS, while the under is 8-2 over the past 10 matchups.
Pacers vs. Knicks Over/Under, Spread
With the Pacers 3-7 over the last 10 games, the Knicks are major favorites with a 1.13x payout to win. The 223.5 total is the second-lowest over/under for Tuesday’s four-game lineup.
- Spread: New York Knicks -3.5
- Over/Under: 223.5
- Gamer Winner Payout: Pacers 5x | Knicks 1.13x
Team picks data is live as of publishing and is subject to change.
Pacers vs. Knicks Injury Report
Let’s have a look at the full Pacers vs. Knicks injury report for Tuesday’s matchup, via NBA.com.
Pacers Injury Report
- G Johnny Furphy (ACL): OUT
- G Aaron Nesmith (hand): Questionable
- PG T.J. McConnell (hamstring): Questionable
- C Micah Potter (hip): Questionable
- C Ivica Zubac (ankle): Questionable
Knicks Injury Report
- F OG Anunoby (toe): Questionable
- G Miles McBride (core muscle): OUT
- C Mitchell Robinson (ankle): OUT
Pacers vs. Knicks Prediction on Total
Ahead of the NBA trade deadline, the Pacers traded G Bennedict Mathurin, F Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and one second-round pick for C Ivica Zubac. The veteran big man should give Indiana its long-term answer at center, and he’s enjoyed a solid campaign with 14.4 points per game (PPG) and 11.0 rebounds per game (RPG).
However, Zubac has yet to make his debut in Indiana and is questionable for tonight with an ankle injury. Before the trade, Mathurin’s 17.8 PPG ranked second on the Pacers. Indiana’s rotation just took another hit on Sunday, as Pacers G Johnny Furphy (18.4 minutes per game) tore his ACL. Pacers G Aaron Nesmith (13.6 PPG) and PG T.J. McConnell (9.5 PPG) are also questionable for Tuesday night.
The Pacers may simply lack the tools to produce against the Knicks’ defense, ranked 11th in NBA Advanced Stats’ defensive rating. According to Dunks & Threes, New York is 27th in 3-point shot distribution allowed, but Indiana posts only 12.6 made triples per game (22nd) and shoots 34.5% from beyond the arc (24th).
On the other side of the court, the Knicks sport a 43.7% 3-point shot distribution (ninth) and log 15.0 made treys per contest (fourth). The Pacers’ defense has an answer, limiting opponents to a 37.1% shot distribution from deep (first) and 11.4 made triples per game (first).
Capped by New York’s seventh-slowest pace, the Knicks’ under trend could continue on Tuesday night.
Pacers vs. Knicks Picks for PrizePicks Today: Tuesday, February 10
Pacers G Aaron Nesmith and Knicks C Karl-Anthony Towns are a pair of players to watch for projections on PrizePicks.
Pacers G Aaron Nesmith vs. Knicks Projection: 13.5 Points
- If Nesmith suits up tonight, he should have an advantage from 3-point land thanks to his team-high 6.5 attempted triples per game.
- The Knicks allow a 44.7% 3-point shot distribution (27th), 13.9 made treys per game (22nd), and 38.7 attempted triples per matchup (23rd).
- The Pacers guard made at least 3 shots from beyond the arc in five of his last seven games.
- Nesmith shot a blistering 51.4% from deep over his past seven appearances.
Knicks C Karl-Anthony Towns vs. Pacers Projection: 19.5 Points
- While Indiana touts an impressive perimeter defense, it still ranks 21st in defensive rating. The Pacers are 28th in shot distribution around the rim allowed and surrender 54.2 points in the paint per game (29th).
- Towns takes 61.0% of his shots within 10 feet of the rim.
- The five-time All-Star shot only 23.1% from 3-point land this month, leading to only 3.3 triple attempts per game. He could look to attack the paint even more tonight.
- After shooting only 42.3% from the field in January, Towns’ efficiency shows promise at 49.0% in February.
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Make Pacers vs. Knicks NBA Picks on PrizePicks
Will Indiana overcome a short-handed roster against a red-hot Knicks squad? While New York’s slow pace and the defensive matchups suggest few points, Nesmith and Towns remain potential targets for stat projections thanks to promising individual matchups.
Make your Pacers vs. Knicks picks at PrizePicks, where you can earn real-money rewards for your predictions if you’re right. Just choose players predict More or Less on their projected stats, and follow the hoops action to see if your picks hit. You can make picks on winners, spreads, and over/unders on Team Picks, now available in 34 states.
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