Pacers vs Knicks NBA Game 1 Predictions, Odds & Best Bets (5/6): Upset Alert at MSG

Today’s Pacers vs. Knicks  NBA predictions and best bets for Game 1 are brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline is a market leader in sports betting, offering various options from the NBA playoffs to the UFC odds and everything in between.

The second round of the 2023-24 NBA playoffs begins on Monday, May 6, featuring Game 1 of the Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks series at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Check in New York 🏀 pic.twitter.com/tr7N6c0Yzy

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 5, 2024

Both of these teams overcame tall tasks in the postseason’s opening round. Both the Pacers and Knicks won their first-round series in six games as Indiana sent Milwaukee packing while New York overcame the Philadelphia 76ers.

Does Indiana have what it takes to take one step closer to its first conference finals appearance in a decade? Or will New York start the series off with a bang in the form of a massive home win?

With plenty of betting options available this evening, you’ll want to continue reading my Pacers vs. Knicks Game 1 predictions and NBA best bets.

Pacers vs Knicks NBA Betting Tonight (5/6)

Pacers vs Knicks Game 1 Information

• Matchup: No. 6 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 2 New York Knicks (Series tied 0-0)
• Venue & Location: Madison Square Garden (New York, NY)
• Date: Monday, May 6, 2024
• Game Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• How to Watch Pacers vs. Knicks: TNT

Knicks vs Pacers NBA Game 1 Betting Odds & Spread

Knicks vs. Pacers NBA odds are courtesy of BetOnline as of Monday, May 6 at 10:00 a.m. ET. Odds from other top online sportsbooks may also be mentioned in this article.

Pacers vs Knicks Spread

• Indiana Pacers +5.5 (-110)
• New York Knicks -5.5 (-110)

Knicks vs Pacers Over/Under

• Over 217 Points (-115)
• Under 217 Points (-105)

Pacers vs Knicks Moneyline

• Indiana Pacers (+195)
• New York Knicks (-225)

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NBA Best Bets and Picks Today

Looking to get in on even more NBA picks tonight? Check out our NBA Picks page for consensus picks for every 2023-24 playoff game.

You can also check out:

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• 2023-24 NBA Finals Prediction & Dark Horse Pick
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Pacers vs Knicks NBA Betting Trends

• Indiana is 5-2 straight up in its last seven games vs. the Atlantic Division.
• New York is 9-2 straight up in its last 11 games.
• Indiana is 2-5 ATS in its last seven road games.
• New York is 1-4 ATS in its last five games as the favorite.
• The total hit the Under in 13 of Indiana’s last 18 road games vs. New York.
• The total hit the Over in seven of New York’s last eight home games.

Pacers vs Knicks Game 1 Predictions & NBA Picks Today (5/6)

The Pacers and Knicks are set to collide in a second-round playoff series after colliding three times during the regular season. Indiana won the series 2-1, splitting the two games played at Madison Square Garden while winning the only matchup played in Indianapolis.

The Pacers were better than the Knicks on both sides of the ball in those encounters, averaging 123.3 points per game while outscoring the latter by an 8.0 PPG clip.

Nevertheless, if the Knicks want to continue advancing throughout the postseason, they must keep up their strong defensive ways. They gave the 76ers very little room to score during their series, holding them to 108.2 PPG on .444/.379/.838 shooting splits. In fact, New York held Philadelphia to 104 or fewer points in two of the three home games.

Meanwhile, all eyes will be on the Pacers to see if their offense will carry them to another win. Milwaukee couldn’t keep pace with Indiana’s attack in the first round as Rick Carlisle’s team averaged 113.0 PPG while shooting 47.9% from the floor and 34.4% from deep.

Will the Pacers’ powerful offense be able to solve the Knicks’ stout defense? 

The Pacers could have some injury issues to overcome tonight, though. Tyrese Haliburton is still dealing with back spasms, leaving him to be a game-time decision tonight. The former Iowa State product led all Pacers with 9.3 assists per game in Round 1 while also averaging 16.0 points and 5.8 assists in six games.

Having said that, the Knicks aren’t exactly in stellar health. Julius Randle (shoulder) and Bojan Bogdanovic (foot/wrist) are still sidelined for the remainder of the year, meaning the onus falls on the likes of Jalen Brunson, OG Anunoby, and Josh Hart to step up in their absence.

At the end of the day, I’m taking the Pacers to pull off the upset at MSG. As great as the Knicks can be, their starters looked more tired as the first round went on and I’m not sure if the lineup is deep enough to handle the Pacers. If Indiana can hit its deep shots early on and wear out the New York defense, the visitors should take the 1-0 lead.

Since I’m taking the Pacers to win, let’s back them to cover the spread. After all, the Knicks only had a plus-1.3 average scoring margin at home in Round 1, leaving me to believe that they aren’t prepared to cover the 5.5-point spread. Just take Indiana as the spread underdog and move on.

Pacers vs Knicks NBA Game 1 Prediction: IND wins

Best Pacers vs Knicks NBA Bet: IND +5.5 (-110)

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Best Pacers vs Knicks NBA Game 1 Prop Bet (5/6)

Assuming that he suits up tonight, there’s no going wrong with backing the Over on Tyrese Haliburton’s 9.5-assist total (-121).

Haliburton’s playmaking skills have been on display lately. The talented point guard is averaging 10.1 assists in his last eight games, finishing with the Over on this prop five times — including when he tallied 10 assists vs. the Bucks in Game 6. Additionally, Haliburton averaged 13.3 assists while hitting the Over twice in three regular-season meetings against the Knicks.

Considering how he still excels at setting up teammates despite his injury situation, you can’t go against this Haliburton-based prop tonight.

Best Pacers vs Knicks Game 1 Prop Bet: Tyrese Haliburton 09.5 Assists (-121)

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Still Here? NBA Playoffs 2023-24 FAQ

When are the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• The 2023-24 NBA playoffs are scheduled to begin on Saturday, April 20, and should be wrapped up by Sunday, June 23.

Where are the 2023-24 NBA Finals?

• The location of the 2023-24 NBA Finals will be determined once there is only one team remaining from each conference in the playoffs.

How can I watch the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• Every game of the 2023-24 NBA postseason will be airing on ABC, TNT, ESPN, and NBA TV.

Where can I bet on the 2023-24 NBA Playoffs?

• Basketball bettors can wager on this year’s NBA playoffs and championship odds on the majority of online sportsbooks, including the following that Betting News highly recommends: