Simulation Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Maximize Your Odds of Winning with SportsLine Model and Our Top-Rated Picks
Understanding Public and Money
Expert Picks
Hart gives you an effort…and he certainly can ball out…but he also is inconsistent. This number projects higher than my models. Like a plus money play here
The Knicks do not have a deep bench and they are bereft of scoring options. I project DD at 19 points with a significant upside. He will have to shoot poorly, foul trouble or blowout script to fall short. Lay the juice..
This clunky yet entertaining series, with 90s throwback vibes, seems destined to go the full seven games. The severely short-handed Knicks managed an unlike 30-point blowout in Game 5 behind another gem from Jalen Brunson. And while he might do it again in Game 7, it's asking a lot for the Knicks to give a cover-worthy performance Friday against a deeper opponent with home-court advantage.
There’s better odds out there for this one. The Pacers have been dominated on the glass for most of the series. Pascal Siakam has had eight rebounds, or less, in five out of the last seven playoff games. This season against New York, he’s went under this number in six out of nine games. The Knicks looked determined and focused after their game five win to possibly close out the series tonight and control the boards.
No OG Anunoby again tonight for New York. Alec Burks has continued to see an increase in minutes over the last three games. Burks has averaged over 22 minutes and has scored 14, 20, and 18 points in the last three contests. He’s a veteran and shown that he can gave the team some production off the bench.
During this postseason we have seen the Indiana Pacers be a resilient group off a loss. Game five featured a high level effort from the Knicks in particular Jalen Brunson. Expect the Pacers to re-adjust defensively and be more aggressive on the offensive end of the floor. This goes seven games like the Twolves-Nuggets. Lay it with the Pacers.
Like many role players, Aaron Nesmith shoots better at home: overall, from deep and at the foul line. That's one reason I bet him to score at least 10 points in Game 6. As long as Game 6 doesn't turn into another blowout, Nesmith will play 30-plus minutes as Jalen Brunson's primary defender. Nesmith torched the Knicks for 18.3 points per game in three regular-season meetings, though he's Over this number in only two of five playoff matchups. Look for him to be aggressive offensively and attack Brunson, who cannot afford to get into foul trouble.
Who would have guessed Miles McBride might have swung this series? Like to pride myself on knowing where 95 percent of the NBA played college hoops, but I forgot about that dude at West Virginia. But then I don't think about anything West Virginia often. Probably because I had a flat tire there once driving to Florida and as soon as I heard a banjo left the car and ran. All rural bad movies start that way (it was my radio). McBride started Game 5 and gave Tyrese Haliburton fits. I'm sure Rick Carlisle has a countermove tonight but 6.5 points? That extra day off in between games (first time this series) has to help the short-handed Knicks more. Right!? Right!? Bueller!? Bueller!?
While we don't expect the Knicks to simply wave the white flag and save their energy for Game 7 the way the Nuggets did last night in Minnesota, there is something to be said for leaving something in reserve. The significant home edge in this series (host has won all five outright) and Indiana now 5-0 at Gainbridge (nee Conseco) Fieldhouse in the playoffs suggests that maybe Tom Thibodeau should save his weary troops for one more big effort at MSG in Game 7. NY is still shorthanded (OG Anunoby already again ruled out, along with Bojan Bogdanovic, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson), and the Pacers will recall being embarrassed on Tuesday when also outrebounded 53-29. We'll respect the home trends here. Play Pacers
This is just a huge number for Josh Hart who has been tremendous in this series, however so much has to go right for a 6'4'' guard to eclipse at least 18 combined rebounds and assists. I also believe we could see fewer possessions in this game compared to what we saw earlier in the series as well. As well know, fewer possessions = fewer opportunities for rebounds and assists. This number is ultimately closer to Harts ceiling.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Knicks closed it out here. They are gritty and gutty and have been the better team finding ways to win close games in this series. Of course, the last game in IND was a blowout win for the Pacers, with Brunson scoring just 18 points. I just don't see that happening again, and the Knicks are the more physical team and they are better at the little things. NYK getting 55% of rebounds (big margin) and getting to line 7 times more than Pacers/Game. Pacers are just 17-16-1 ATS as home favorite. I see this coming down to the last few possessions, where Brunson's elite shot-making and ability to draw fouls could be the difference.
Are the Pacers a superior team the likes of which they just can't lost at home? I know they haven't yet this postseason, but given their defensive issues, their streaky shooting, their inability to prevent the Knicks from dominating the offensive boards, Halliburton's erratic play and the fact the best player in this series plays for NYK (Brunson), I could definitely see NY closing this out on the road. The extra day of rest, coming off a win, huge for NYK. I like what McBride and Burks are providing and if Hartenstein rules the boards again (I think he will), too many second-chance points for the Knicks. The lack of a true go-to finisher could be the difference here.