Pacers vs. Knicks prediction: NBA odds, picks, best bets for Friday

On astir nights successful nan NBA, if you sprout 55% from nan floor, you’re much apt to triumph your games. 

Unfortunately for nan Knicks, they ran into a buzzsaw Celtics squad that outshot them 87-33 from beyond nan arc successful nan play opener. Boston besides capitalized disconnected nan Knicks’ carelessness, turning 12 turnovers into 19 points. 

It’ll return a small clip for this new-look Knicks squad to find its stride aft sending Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo successful a packaged woody to Minnesota successful speech for Karl-Anthony Towns.

Their adjacent situation will travel against nan Pacers connected Friday night, and nan caller history betwixt nan 2 teams could unlock immoderate worth connected nan total.

Pacers vs. Knicks odds

Pacers outlook 

Looking to build disconnected their tally to nan Eastern Conference Finals, nan Pacers opted to support nan halfway of their squad intact by resigning free supplier Pascal Siakam. 

They besides fortified their chair by bringing backmost Obi Toppin and giving statement extensions to Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell.

James Wiseman was nan only important free-agent signing from different team.

Given their continuity, it’s adjacent to expect nan Pacers to play successful a akin style to past twelvemonth by taking shots early successful nan timepiece and bombing 3-point attempts.

The NBA is very overmuch a copycat league, and pinch everyone chasing nan Celtics, it’ll beryllium absorbing to spot if different teams look to lucifer Boston’s aggression from nan perimeter aft it attempted 61 3-pointers connected opening night.

Knicks outlook

While Towns and Randle were nan cardinal pieces successful nan trade, nan Timberwolves were admirers of DiVincenzo, having heavy pursued him arsenic a free supplier successful 2023.

The Knicks, connected nan different hand, saw DiVincenzo arsenic expendable aft resigning free supplier OG Anunoby and trading for Mikal Bridges. 

However, DiVincenzo’s expertise to take sides connected nan helping could beryllium a important nonaccomplishment for nan Knicks.

You besides person to wonderment whether nan summation of Towns will worsen nan Knicks defensively. 

Tyrese Haliburton #0 of nan Indiana Pacers looks connected during nan crippled against nan Detroit Pistons connected October 23, 2024 astatine Little Caesars Arena successful Detroit, Michigan. NBAE via Getty Images

Towns was astir apt nan weakest protect subordinate for Minnesota and sewage somewhat exposed successful nan playoffs against nan Mavericks.

The Wolves moreover benched him precocious successful a playoff crippled aft a 4-for-16 shooting performance.

Perhaps nan Knicks position Towns arsenic a frontcourt subordinate who tin supply amended spacing and sound down 3-pointers much efficiently than Randle.

After all, he is simply a erstwhile 3-point title winner, and he’s changeable astatine slightest 40% from nan perimeter successful 5 of nan erstwhile 9 seasons.

Pacers vs. Knicks pick

Defenses look nan astir susceptible astatine nan commencement of this season, arsenic nan full has gone complete successful nan immense mostly of nan games truthful far.

We’re besides getting a comparatively short over/under of 225.5 for this game, considering nan mean full betwixt nan 2 teams past play was 240.5.

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The Pacers changeable 50.6% from nan level against nan Pistons successful their opener but only 29% (9-of-31) from beyond nan arc. 

I’d expect those numbers to amended against a Knicks squad that Boston torched connected nan perimeter (47.5%). 

The constitution of these 2 teams signals a high-scoring affair, making nan complete worthy a look successful this spot.

Best bet: Over 225 points (-110, DraftKings)

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Michael Arinze handicaps astir awesome sports for nan New York Post. He’s cashed 2 15-leg teasers successful his betting profession arsenic good arsenic a 12-leg parlay that included 8 Little League World Series games. More recently, he accurately picked finalists successful nan 2024 European Championships and Copa America.