Pacers vs Knicks Game Analysis
Two Eastern Conference disruptors will meet to start their Conference Semi-Finals on May 21. The Knicks took down the No. 2 seed reigning champs in six games, while the Pacers eliminated the No. 1 seed Cavaliers in only five. These weren’t close series. They were decisive wins over the favorites. What does that say about this Pacers vs Knicks prediction?
The No. 3 seed New York Knicks will clash against the No. 4 seed Indianapolis Pacers in what many think will be a grinding seven-game series, but both teams have shown that they can beat the odds.
Indianapolis Pacers Recent Scores
Rounding out the regular season, the Pacers were in lockstep with the Bucks, both winning eight of their last ten games with an away record of 20-20. The Pacers had a slightly better home record, ending the season with 50 wins compared to Milwaukee’s 48.
However, the Pacers dominated the Bucks in the first round, only allowing it to get close in the final game, which resulted in a 119-118 overtime win. Their only loss was in Milwaukee.
In the conference semi-finals, they had a tougher time against the Cavaliers but still managed to win the series in five games. Their only loss came at home. Although the Cavs finished the season with 64 wins, they only won six of their last ten games and experienced a four-game losing streak in March, following a 16-game win streak.
Only one game in each series had a one-point differential. The rest had at least eight points separating them.
New York Knicks Recent Scores
Each playoff series took New York six games to win, with six of those games being decided by three points or fewer. Twice, they came from behind to win when they were down by 20 points.
They lost Game 5 after Jayson Tatum went down with a season-ending injury in Game 4, but came back to decisively win the series in Game 6, 119-81. This is a team with character and confidence that doesn’t get rattled for very long.
Balance vs Stars: Pacers vs Knicks Prediction
The Pacers get eight days off before taking on the Knicks for the Conference Finals. That has been a problem in the past, but I don’t think it’ll be an issue here. Indianapolis had five days off in the first round when they took out the Bucks and were rewarded with a break. Granted, that was only five days.
The Knicks get five days off, which they’ll need because their starters carry most of the load. In Game 6 against the Celtics, the five Knicks starters combined to score 99 of the overall 119 points.
The Pacers don’t have any players averaging even 20 points per game, which makes it very difficult for the Knicks to know who to focus on defensively. Expect the Pacers to take the first game 118-109. Also, remember to join us at PayPerHead to be updated with the NBA Playoffs.
