Knicks vs Pacers Picks and Predictions: Randle Imposes His Size On the Boards

Is it 2013 or 2022? The New York Knicks are now winners of six games in a row and look like one of the better teams in the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Tonight, facing off against the Indiana Pacers, New York will need to keep playing good team ball and crash the boards to make it seven in a row. 

Indiana is a mediocre team that revolves around talented guard Tyrese Halliburton and his development as a young star. It will need an exceptional performance from him tonight to pull this one out. 

Find out the best options with our free NBA betting picks and predictions for the Pacers vs. Knicks on Sunday, December 18.

Knicks vs Pacers best odds

Knicks vs Pacers picks and predictions

While the Knicks and Pacers are close to one another in the standings, they aren’t particularly close in rebounding. New York often crashes the boards on both sides of the ball, while Indiana is not among the better rebounding teams in the NBA. This brings me to Julius Randle and his potential impact on this game.  

The history suggests Randle is in for a big night as Indiana couldn’t contain him on the glass in four matchups last year — averaging 12.3 rebounds. Tonight shouldn’t be any different, as Jalen Smith will likely be tasked with trying to contain Randle.

While Smith is a solid team rebounder, physically, his 215-pound frame will have issues consistently banging with the near 250-pound Randle. Smith also plays 11.8 fewer minutes per game than Randle and will likely fatigue quickly.

Randle has picked up his intensity over the six-game winning streak, especially on the glass. He’s grabbed over 12 rebounds in half of those games and is coming off a combined 26 rebounds against the Bulls in back-to-back games Wednesday and Friday. 

This six-game streak has been remarkable for New York. The Knicks have led the league in offensive rebounding and second-chance points during this period. Randle is a large portion of that dominance, and I expect him to hit the boards hard in this one.

My best bet: Julius Randle Over 9.5 rebounds (-102)

Knicks vs Pacers spread analysis

The Knicks enter tonight’s action in a great spot, successfully covering against the spread in their last six games. They have been so successful primarily due to their defense coming alive of late, with Mitchell Robinson anchoring the rim and Quentin Grimes playing tough defense on the perimeter. Donovan Mitchell, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan are some names held captive by the Knicks' suffocating defense. 

The defensive pressure New York brings undoubtedly doesn’t bode well for Tyrese Halliburton & Co., as they’ll be tasked with figuring out how to score enough points to squeeze out a win. Halliburton is a very talented young player, but he’s not invincible.

Both teams enter tonight’s action with a positive ATS record on the season. The Knicks are proving they can win games on the road after beating Chicago in back-to-back games at United Center. Something will have to give, as Indiana is 17-13 ATS, and New York is 15-12-2. I would bank on the hot team in this one. 

The line opened with the Pacers as -1 favorites and has moved to the Knicks being a slight -1 favorite. That feels a tad too close. New York played the best defensive basketball out of any team in the NBA throughout its winning streak, leading the NBA in defensive rating since December 4. I wouldn’t trust Indiana to crack the code today. 

Knicks vs Pacers Over/Under analysis

The Under is a very appealing play tonight. For the season, neither the Knicks nor Pacers are Top 10 in field goal percentage, offensive rating, or true shooting percentage. Indiana likes to push the ball — evidenced by its Top-5 pace ranking — but New York has the athletes on the perimeter and exterior to keep up should the Pacers try to get up and down the court quickly.

At 5-9-1 on the season, the Knicks are not pitching a good O/U record when on the road. This offense relies on the majority of their scoring output nightly from three players (Randle, Jalen Brunson, and R.J. Barrett) and lack consistent offensive help off the bench.

New York's defense has been physically imposing of late, most recently holding DeMar DeRozan to 14 points. Since the six-game winning streak began, it has allowed the lowest opponent points per game mark in the NBA (97) and has only allowed a team to score over 100 points twice. I like the Under here.

Knicks vs Pacers betting trend to know

The Knicks are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games overall. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Pacers.

Knicks vs Pacers game info

Knicks vs Pacers key injuries

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