The New York Knicks (9-21), 11-point underdogs, will have their hands full against the league’s top scoring defense when they take on the Indiana Pacers (19-10) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 213.5 points and it can be seen on Fox Sports Midwest – Indiana at 5 p.m. ET on Sunday, December 16, 2018.
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Odds
Both teams covered in their last game. The Pacers (3-point underdogs) defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 113-101, while the Knicks (10-point underdog) beat the Charlotte Hornets 126-124. The Indiana game finished 7.5 points under the projected point total of 221.5, while the New York game finished 26 points over the projected point total of 224.
The Knicks had a much better free throw rate (0.204 vs. 0.078) and had a turnover percentage of 8.2 (better than their season average of 12.2). The Pacers, meanwhile, had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 6.2 (better than their season average of 13.6) and held the 76ers to an effective field goal percentage of 0.460 (below their season average of 0.529). Indiana’s Thaddeus Young had a good outing, putting up 26 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Meanwhile, New York was led by Emmanuel Mudiay, who recorded 34 points and eight assists.
In their first matchup this season, Domantas Sabonis led the Pacers to a 107-101 win. He produced 30 points and 9 rebounds. The two teams combined for 208 points, which was just under the projected point total of 208.5, and Indiana covered as a 6-point favorite. The Pacers’ 27.8 offensive rebounding percentage was their largest strength over the Knicks, who had a rate of 22.5.
Of the Knicks’ 30 games, 17 have gone over the total. New York holds records of 9-21 straight up (SU) and 15-14-1 against the spread (ATS).
Unlike New York, Pacers games have typically finished under the O/U total (65.5 percent). Further, Indiana owns records of 19-10 SU and 15-13-1 ATS.
Young and Bojan Bogdanovic have played at a high level over the last five games for Indiana. Young has averaged 16 points,8.4 rebounds,1.8 steals, while Bogdanovic has put up 19 points a game during that span.
The elite offense of Indiana will clash against the mid-tier defense of New York. The Pacers currently rank eighth in effective field goal percentage (0.530), while the Knicks are 29th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.544). The Pacers should have the edge on that end of the court.
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Betting Pick
NBA Pick: SU Winner – Pacers, ATS Winner – Pacers, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- The Knicks rank 21 in three pointers attempted per game (29.266666666666666) while the Pacers rank 29 (24.896551724137932).
- Indiana ranks second in points allowed in the paint per game (42.0) while New York ranks 26th (52.0).
- The Pacers rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (42.4) while the Knicks rank 24th (46.3).
- Indiana ranks second in second chance points allowed per game (11.3) while New York ranks 20th (13.9).
- Indiana averages 5.275862068965517 blocks per game, which ranks 14 in the league. New York ranks 28 in blocks allowed per game (6.466666666666667).
- The Pacers rank eighth in assists allowed per game (22.9) while the Knicks rank 28th (25.8).
- The Pacers rank 4 in steals per game (9.03448275862069) while the Knicks rank 21 (7.2).
- Indiana ranks third in points off turnovers per game (19.8) while New York ranks 22nd (16.0).
- Indiana is 10-1 when they allow under 100 points, while New York is 2-0.
- When scoring more than 100 points, the Pacers are 16-5 and the Knicks are 9-17.
- New York is 9-8 ATS on the road, while Indiana is 8-6 ATS at home.
- The total has gone over in 11 of the Knicks’ 17 road games, while 11 of the Pacers’ 14 home games have gone under.
Bettings Trends:
- The Pacers are 5-0 ATS over their last five games, while the Knicks are 1-4.
- In their last five games, Indiana has 5 unders, while New York has 4 overs and 1 under.
- During their last five games, the Pacers have scored an average of 110.8 points per game (4.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 97.2 points per game (4.1 below their season average).
- The Knicks’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 10.6, up from 6.3 for the season.
