Our NBA experts Christopher Walder, Nick Holz, and David Caraviello are here throughout the playoffs offering up their spread, moneyline, OVER/UNDER, and player prop picks for all of the action.
Reggie Miller and Spike Lee will be on the sidelines once again as the Indiana Pacers aim to steal Game 2 against the New York Knicks from Madison Square Garden.
(Related Link) 2024 NBA Playoff Series Prices
NBA Expert Picks Results: Second Round
| Expert | Record | Units |
|---|---|---|
| David Caraviello | 6-0 | 6.5 |
| Christopher Walder | 4-4 | -0.55 |
| Nick Holz | 2-4 | -2.07 |
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Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks Game 2 Preview & Picks
Matchup Page: Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks, 8 p.m. ET
Same-Game Parlay: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks Game 2
| Team | Spread | Money | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana Pacers | +5 (-110) | +176 | O 219 (-110) |
| New York Knicks | -5 (-110) | -210 | U 219 (-110) |
Nick Holz's Pick: Indiana Pacers ATS +5 (-110)
Indiana will be reeling after a controversial illegal screen led to them surrendering possession with a chance to steal Game 1. Rick Carlisle's squad will feel hard done by. However, the Pacers are now 2-1 ATS in their last three games in the Mecca while shooting almost 53% from the floor, including a startling 42% from three.
On the flip side, Jalen Brunson became the first player since Michael Jeffrey Jordan to score 40+ points in five straight playoff games the other night. The Villanova trio of Brunson, Josh Hart and Donte DiVencenzo was incredible. But, how long can the Knicks starters continue to play 40+ minutes a night at peak performance? At some point, the Knicks lack of depth will come back to bite them.
Don't look now, but Indiana has the third-highest offensive rating (119.4) in the playoffs. They also lead the postseason in assist to turnover ratio (3.18). Despite Tyrese Haliburton's struggles in Game 1, the Pacers were leading for long stretches in the fourth quarter. More importantly, Pascal Siakam and company were going bucket for bucket with even the scoring prowess of Brunson down the stretch.
Expect Haliburton to knock down a few more shots in this game and get the Pacers +5 to the pay window.
Christopher Walder's Pick: Indiana Pacers ATS +5 (-110)
I'm with Nick here. Emotionally, there has to be some added incentive for the Pacers to take Game 2 on the road, especially following that late foul on Myles Turner in Game 1 which had a profound impact on the end result.
Indiana has successfully covered the spread in three of its last four playoff games, winning the first two SU but coming up short in Game 1 against the Knicks as the six-point underdogs in a four-point loss. It's the first time since March 29 and April 1 that the Pacers have covered in consecutive games.
This is the type of series where the old expression of "every possession matters" couldn't be truer. While Indiana is third in offense this postseason, as Nick mentioned, New York is right behind it in fourth place (117.7 points scored per 100 possessions). Game 1 came down to the finite details and wasn't ultimately determined until the very end, with Game 2 expected to follow a similar script and perhaps even a victory for the road side.
David's Pick: Indiana Pacers ATS +5 (-110)
Game 1 of this Eastern Conference semifinal was exactly what we expected--a tight matchup in which the Pacers covered, but the Knicks won outright at home (thanks in part to some questionable officiating). While the point spread has narrowed for Game 2, we anticipate another close contest between two high-scoring teams fueled by their guard play. Expect Indiana to better defend Jalen Brunson as this series goes along, just as they did Damian Lillard in its first-round matchup with Milwaukee.
