NBA Playoffs Pacers at Knicks Game 5 Betting Preview
Home Team Has Won Every Game This Series
Can Indiana build on the momentum of a 32-point win on Sunday to pick up a win in the Pacers at Knicks game 5 betting matchup? That may be a tough task considering the home team has won every game so far in the Eastern Conference semifinals, but a victory by that big of a margin has to give a team momentum.
Nobody would blame the Knicks for losing on Tuesday night, as they have been ravaged by injuries. New York was a -6 point favorite in Game 1 and a -4.5 point favorite in Game 2, but that’s dropped to -2 for Game 5 with a slight 53% of the bettors taking Indiana.
Why the Pacers Have Value at +2
Why the instant lean would go towards New York just because they are at home, the Knicks have also struggled the last two games with the loss of OG Anunoby to a hamstring injury. Anunoby averaged 20.5/6.5/3.5 the first two games so his absence is being felt.
Another reason Indiana has a great chance of taking Game 5 outright is because Sunday’s blowout win allowed Tyrese Haliburton to play just 27 minutes – huge after he’s been battling back spasms as well as a back and ankle bruise. Haliburton had 34 points in Game 2 and 35 in Game 3 so the healthier he is the better.
Indiana also got to show some nice depth in Game 4, with TJ McConnell having 15 points and 10 assists of the bench and former Knick Obi Toppin adding 14. The deeper you can go into your rotation the better as a grueling series drags on.
Why the Knicks Have Value at -2
New York won by 4 and 9 points in the first two games at Madison Square Garden, so the spread dropping to -2 for Game 5 is something to pay attention to, but also something that provide great value. The Knicks are now 4-1 at home in the postseason (the loss being in OT) and were 31-15 on their own court this season.
Anunoby hurting his hamstring is unfortunate, but Jalen Brunson can very much carry the Knicks to victory on Tuesday. Brunson had 24 points in 24 second half minutes after hurting his foot in the first half of Game 2, and he knows how to get the most out of this MSG crowd.
Despite how great Brunson can be, the Knicks are still going to need some depth in Game 5. Donte DiVincenzo had 25+ points in each of the first three games of the series and Josh Hart averaged 22.5 ppg in the two games at Madison Square.
Free Pacers at Knicks Game 5 Betting Pick
The side could really go either way here, and it will be interesting to see how the Knicks fare back at home without Anunoby. New York gets an energy on offense playing at home (124.5 ppg at MSG this series), and the Pacers have the top offense in the NBA so the best bet here is on the total.
Free Pick: Over 217
