The Knicks host the Pacers in the NBA playoffs on Wednesday in Game 2! The Pacers kept it very close in Game 1, but the Knicks won out thanks to being the better closers, but also some late calls. The Pacers can bounce back in Game 2 on the road because of how close Game 1 was. We now continue our NBA odds series with a Pacers-Knicks prediction and pick.

The Pacers have played well against the Knicks this season with a 2-1 record in the regular season, but they lost Game 1 in a very close game. These two teams are very different with the Knicks all about toughness on defense, while the Pacers were the best scoring team in the entire NBA. These two teams are different but are similar in the fact that they are younger and are trying to break through in the playoffs for the first time in a while. The key is that Tyrese Haliburton needs to play better than he has been. He is not 100% right now, but he is the key, especially because he runs everything at point guard.

The Knicks closed out Game 1 of this series well, but they also got lucky after a few calls went their way and the NBA even admitted that they made the incorrect call. The biggest keys for the Knicks have been Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart and their play has elevated the team completely thanks to their toughness. Brunson has been the leader overall and mainly on offense, while Hart has emerged behind him, especially with rebounding and then OG Anunoby has been a difference maker on defense. The Knicks have played well and have won their games thanks to how hard they have played across the whole season.

Here are the NBA odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

NBA Playoffs Odds: Pacers-Knicks Game 2 Odds

Indiana Pacers: +5 (-110)

Moneyline: +168

New York Knicks: -5 (-110)

Moneyline: -200

Over: 220.5 (-110)

Under: 220.5 (-110)

How to Watch Pacers vs. Knicks Game 2 

Time: 8:00 pm ET

TV: TNT

Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)

Why The Pacers Could Cover The Spread/Win

The Pacers were the highest-scoring team in the NBA this season, averaging 123.3 points per game on the season. In the postseason, the Pacers are averaging 113.6 points per game, 48.5% from the field, and then 34.8% from behind the arc. Seven different Pacers players average over double digits in the postseason with Pascal Siakam leading the way at 21.9 points per game. Tyrese Haliburton is third in the NBA Playoffs in assists at 9.1 per game after he led the entire NBA in assists per game during the regular season. When the Pacers get hot on offense they are as good as any team in the NBA. The Knicks have the defense to match up well with the Pacers, but the Pacers can come at teams in waves on offense and that will be a massive key in this game.

The defense for the Pacers has struggled this season. They were the third-worst scoring defense in the NBA, allowing 120.2 points per game. They were also second to last in field goal percentage defense, allowing 49.6% from the field. In the postseason, they are allowing 111.7 points per game, 48.2% from the field, and 36.8% from behind the arc. The Pacers have two players that average at least one steal per game this season with T.J. McConnell and Tyrese Haliburton tied for the lead at 1.0 steal per game. Two players average at least one block per game with Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith leading the way at 1.1 per game in this series.

Why The Knicks Could Cover The Spread/Win

The Knicks were the second-best defensive team in the NBA this season behind only the Timberwolves. They allowed 108.2 points per game, and then they were 15th in field goal percentage defense at 47% and 17th against the three-point shot, allowing 36.5% from behind the arc. In the postseason, they are allowing 106.8 points per game, 44.6% from the field, and then 36.8% from behind the arc. OG Anunoby leads the way in steals at 1.1 per game this series, but two other Knicks are averaging at least one steal per game. Six Knicks are averaging at least one block per game, with Precious Achiuwa leading the way at 1.7 per game. When it comes to rebounding, a guard, Josh Hart, is leading the way at 12.4 per game during the playoffs.

The offense for the Knicks has been a work in progress throughout the year. They were 19th in the league in scoring offense, scoring 112.8 points per game. They were also 20th in field goal percentage at 46.5% and 14th in three-point percentage at 36.9%. Five Knicks average over double digits this series with Jalen Brunson being the leader at 36.6 points per game. Brunson also leads the way in assists at 8.6 per game. The Knicks are tough and that bleeds through with their offense being led by Brunson in the backcourt as the main catalyst for making things go.

Final Pacers-Knicks Prediction & Pick

This is the perfect opportunity for the Pacers to bounce back after what happened in Game 1. They were right with the Knicks and it just slipped away from them. The Pacers should come back and not just cover, but win this game before heading back home to make this series 1-1 heading into Indianapolis. The Pacers are going to be mad and this is a great spot for them to get revenge.

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Final Pacers-Knicks Prediction & Pick: Pacers +5 (-110)