When I mentioned in the game three writeup that the Knicks needed to slow the game down, I was pulling that from some past experience. What many people don’t understand about a sport like basketball is that the main way to win is to impose your style on your opponent. Let’s take a quick look at the total number of points scored in regulation time during this series:
Game One: 250 (273 total)
Game Two: 223
Game Three: 206
Folks, there’s the story in the numbers. Without knowing too much about either of the teams, a person could sense that the pace in games one and two favored the faster, deeper team. However in game three, there was a major difference. In fact, it was a 44 point difference from game one. For the Knicks it started at the defensive end forcing Indiana into tough, contested shots and making the Pacers use more of the shot clock.
The Knicks found a way to turn game three into a slugfest.
Can the Pacers counter in game four?
NBA Playoffs:
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers
Pacers lead series 2-1
Game Four
Spread
Knicks +2 (-108)
Pacers -2 (-112) WINNER
Total
Over 221 (-110) WINNER
Under 221 (-110)
Moneyline
Knicks (+114)
Pacers (-134) WINNER
Player Points
Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 (-110) Under 31.5 (-120)
Karl-Anthony Towns Over 21.5 (-125) Under 21.5 (-106)
Tyrese Haliburton Over 21.5 (-118) Under 21.5 (-112)
Pascal Siakam Over 19.5 (-122) Under 19.5 (-108)
Mikal Bridges Over 16.5 (-110) Under 16.5 (-118)
OG Anunoby Over 15.5 (-108) Under 15.5 (-122)
Myles Turner Over 14.5 (-130) Under 14.5 (-102)
Aaron Nesmith Over 11.5 (-114) Under 11.5 (-114)
Andrew Nembhard Over 11.5 (-112) Under 11.5 (-118)
Josh Hart Over 8.5 (-118) Under 8.5 (-112)
Obi Toppin Over 8.5 (Even) Under 8.5 (-132)
T.J. McConnell Over 8.5 (-102) Under 8.5 (-130)
Miles McBride Over 7.5 (-104) Under 7.5 (-128)
Mitchell Robinson Over 5.5 (-114) Under 5.5 (-114)
Double Result
Pacers / Pacers (+125) WINNER
Knicks / Knicks (+200)
Knicks / Pacers (+500)
Pacers / Knicks (+550)
Tie / Pacers (+3100)
Tie / Knicks (+4100)
