Knicks vs Pacers Picks and Predictions: Road Weary NY Lacks Firepower

Coming off a back-to-back may seem a disadvantage for the New York Knicks, but at least they are intent on winning. The same may not be true in Indiana amid increasing trade rumors. That off-court speculation could slow the Pacers enough for the Knicks to discover a winning streak, but then again, New York is still figuring out its own rotation after benching Kemba Walker, and that has yet to yield an avalanche of wins.

Here are our free NBA picks and predictions for the Knicks at the Pacers on December 8, with kickoff set for 7:00 ET.

Knicks vs Pacers odds

Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.

The Pacers began the day as 4.5-point home favorites, and throughout the morning that bounced back-and-forth between -4.5 and -5.0. The total opened at 212.5 and quickly fell to 210.0, now varying between 209.5 and 210.5.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Knicks vs Pacers predictions

• Prediction: Pacers -4.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 210.5 (-110)
• Best bet: Pacers -4.5 (-110)

Predictions made on 12/8/2021 at 12:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Knicks vs Pacers game info

• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
• Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021
• Tip-off: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: MSG, Bally Sports Indiana 

Knicks vs Pacers betting preview

Injuries

Knicks: Jericho Sims C (Questionable).
Pacers: T.J. McConnel PG (Out), T.J. Warren SF (Out), Justin Holiday F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Under is 4-0 in the back half of the Knicks’ last four back-to-backs and 5-1 in the last six meetings between these two. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Pacers.

Knicks vs Pacers picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

These two have split two games already this season, both in terms of straight up and against the spread. The most notable constant between those November meetings was Julius Randle’s struggles. Going against the sizable Pacers duo of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner, Randle shot only 11-of-31 (35.5 percent) from the field in those two games, compared to his season average of 43.4 percent.

Randle still put up double-doubles and has become such a reliable volume player over the last few years that he still got his fair share in the box score, but when he becomes inefficient, New York becomes that much more difficult to trust.

Pulling Kemba Walker from the rotation was the right move for the Knicks, but it leaves them with little consistent production aside from Randle. In their last 10 games, only Randle and Alec Burks (16.2) have averaged more than 14 points per game. Only RJ Barrett (13.7) and Evan Fournier (13.5) add even 12 points per game. If Sabonis and Turner again plague Randle, the Knicks will be sore for points.

Coming off a game last night, a win against the Spurs, that struggle could lead New York to pack in this one early.

Prediction: Pacers -4.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

If the Knicks do indeed start to feel the effects of last night, there is little reason to think Indiana alone will push this game into the triple digits. The Pacers do enough to stay out of the league’s dregs when it comes to offense, but they also do not light up the scoreboard. In their last 10, they have averaged 109.7 points per game and fell short of 105 three times.

New York will have reason to slow this down, a smaller sample size covering up its lack of offense and a slower game benefiting tired legs. Indiana is not built to run on its own.

Add in the chance of a Pacers blowout thanks to the rough scheduling for the Knicks, and this Under may feel more comfortable than expected.

Prediction: Under 210.5 (-110)

Best bet

New York may have won last night, but it has lost three of its last four and eight of its last 13. The Knicks last won two games in a row in October.

If you have forgotten — and time is relative, so that would be understandable — those Christmas trees and snow flurries you see mean it is already mid-December. Two notable holidays have come and gone since New York put together a winning streak.

Pick: Pacers -4.5 (-110)

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