NBA betting: Bets that stand out for Knicks-Pacers Game 2
Will the historic comeback by the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals have a carryover to Game 2? That’s the big question heading into Friday night’s game at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks look to even the series and slow down the Pacers’ momentum.
Jalen Brunson (43) and Karl-Anthony Towns (35) paced the Knicks in the series opener, while Tyrese Haliburton (31) and Aaron Nesmith (30) led the scoring for the Pacers. Can you expect more of the same in Game 2?
Here are some of the bets that stand out for Friday night’s game.
Odds are as of publication time. For the most up-to-date odds, visit ESPN BET
Bets for Friday
Karl-Anthony Towns over 23.5 points (-120). Towns has turned in dominant scoring performances against the Pacers for years, averaging 30.6 PPG in their last 12 meetings, including the 35 he dropped in Game 1. Towns has now scored 30 or more points in three straight, and four of his last five matchups against the Pacers. The Pacers play fast paced and don’t have an answer for Towns’ ability to produce both inside and out, and Game 1 demonstrated that the Knicks will need all the scoring he can provide if they want to even the series. — Snellings
Myles Turner over 14.5 total points (-115). Turner only scored 14 points in Game 1, but he got off to a scorching start with 11 points in the first quarter before he cooled off. The hot start was closer to his norm against the Knicks; in 13 games against the Knicks over the last two seasons, including playoffs, Turner has averaged 17.1 PPG while scoring at least 16 points in eight of those 13. With the way the Pacers move the ball on offense, the Knicks’ bigs are often forced to switch onto guards or sag into the paint, leaving Turner with plenty of open looks. I look for him to convert those looks into points in Game 2. — Snellings
Indiana Pacers over 110.5 points (-105). I recommended this in Game 1, and I’m sticking with it for Game 2. The Pacers have averaged 119.5 PPG this postseason — most in the league — and rank third in pace. They took advantage of the Knicks’ weak transition defense in Game 1 and should continue to exploit it. Indiana also capitalized on turnovers and has multiple scoring threats beyond Tyrese Haliburton who can step up when needed. The Pacers have cleared this line in nine of their last 11 playoff games and are well-positioned to do it again. — Moody
Aaron Nesmith under 4.5 rebounds (+115). Nesmith played 38 minutes in Game 1 but finished with just nine rebound chances and two rebounds. It’s a tough matchup — he’s likely to spend most of his time defending Jalen Brunson, which keeps him away from the basket and focused on contesting shots rather than grabbing rebounds. Nesmith has gone under this line in all three games against the Knicks, and in 54% of his games this season. — Moody
Projections and injury reports
Basketball Power Index by ESPN Analytics. Injury aggregation by Rotowire.com. Odds by ESPN BET
All times ET.
Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
8 p.m.
Line: Pacers +6.5 (-120) | Knicks -6.5 (EVEN)
Money line: Pacers +210 | Knicks -255
Total: 224.5 (-115 O, -105 U)
BPI Projection: Pacers by 0.4, straight up 51%, 224.4 total points.
Injury Report:
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson, (OFS – Achilles)
Knicks: None reported
Source: espn.com