Pacers vs Knicks Odds, Picks, and Predictions Tonight: Anunoby Duels Siakam at MSG

Moving forward, all New York Knicks stats should have an AOG designation: After OG Anunoby. 

The Knicks look like a complete team since acquiring the lockdown defender from the Raptors at the beginning of the month. And not just a complete team, but one of the best in the NBA.

That team will be put to the test in Thursday night’s game against the visiting Indiana Pacers, in what will be a classic offense vs. defense matchup. But maybe most interesting of all, Anunoby will face off against long-time Toronto teammate Pascal Siakam for the first time since both were traded.

Which former Rap has the edge in this Eastern Conference matchup? I break down the NBA odds and bring you the best bet in my NBA picks and predictions Pacers vs. Knicks.

Pacers vs Knicks odds

Pacers vs Knicks predictions

It's not hyperbole to say that the New York Knicks have looked like one of if not the best teams in the NBA since the calendar flipped to 2024.

The big difference has been the addition of OG Anunoby. The 3-and-D wing looks like the missing piece to the Knicks’ puzzle at this point. Since Anunoby joined the team, New York is 14-2 straight up and 13-3 against the spread. That includes winning eight in a row and covering six heading into tonight’s matchup.

During this run, the Knicks lead the NBA in net rating, defensive rating, rebounding rate, and scoring defense. The 100.1 points per game they're allowing isn’t just the best, it’s more than 10 points better than the next closest team (the Clippers). The offense hasn’t been too shabby either, ranking sixth in offensive rating.

Let’s focus on that defense for this matchup against the Indiana Pacers. And maybe an individual matchup more specifically.

Led by Tyrese Haliburton, the Pacers have had the NBA’s best offense this season. They lead the Association in offensive rating, effective field goal percentage, and scoring at 124.5 points per game.

Haliburton is the catalyst, averaging 23.3 points and leading the NBA in assists at 12.5 per contest, but the Pacers knew they needed to get him a running mate. So, they traded for Pascal Siakam: the former Raptor and two-time All-NBAer is a great stylistic fit next to Haliburton, but he’s still getting the lay of the land in Indiana.

Siakam is averaging 21.6 points per game as a member of the Pacers. And while Haliburton has certainly been getting him more open looks than he was getting in Toronto, he's taking fewer shots and fewer threes.

This matchup against Anunoby is an intriguing one, and not just because he's such a great defender, but because they were teammates for years in Toronto. Anunoby has missed the last two games with some elbow inflammation and is questionable to play but he'll be a problem for Siakam and the Pacers if he suits up. 

Additionally, Haliburton is expected to play in this game but could be on another minutes restriction after logging just 22 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Celtics. That could mean more of OG’s defensive efforts can be placed on Siakam.

Siakam has been held to 21 points or fewer in four of his seven games since joining the Pacers and gets his toughest and most intriguing assignment yet.

My best bet: Pascal Siakam Under 21.5 points (-122 at FanDuel)

Pacers vs Knicks same-game parlay

Pascal Siakam Under 21.5 points

OG Anunoby Over 4.5 rebounds

Pacers team total Under 116.5

+375 at bet365

Holding Siakam in check won't be the only place Anunoby contributes to this matchup.

The Knicks lead the NBA in rebounding rate since the start of January, and wouldn’t you know it, that’s something the Pacers would like to improve on. Indiana ranks 23rd in rebounding rate.

Mix in the Pacers’ high volume of shots and there will be a lot of rebounds up for grabs. Anunoby is averaging 4.6 rebounds per game as a member of the Knicks and has hauled in 5+ boards in nine of his 14 games with his new team. 

The Knicks defense has been something special in 2024. And while Indiana's offense is great, it hasn't been as great of late. Some of that has to do with Haliburton dealing with his hamstring injury, but over the last 10 games, Indiana ranks a middling 15th in offensive rating and has been held below 116 points or fewer six times over that span. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Pacers vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis

The Knicks opened this old-school Eastern Conference rivalry as 3.5-point home favorites, but it’s the Pacers seeing the early money, with the line sitting at New York -2.5 as of early Thursday afternoon.

Considering the way the Knicks and Pacers each come into this game playing I find that a little surprising. Now, the Knicks come into this one a little banged up with no Julius Randle, and OG Anunoby and Quentin Grimes are both questionable. 

But they’ve been dealing with injury issues all season. They won the last two games in blowouts without OG or Randle. And with OG, they recently held a team with Nikola Jokic to 84 points.

And it’s not like the Pacers have a clean injury report either. Tyrese Haliburton is on a minutes restriction, while Ben Mathurin, Jalen Smith, and TJ McConnell are questionable. 

Oh, and there’s this little thing about the Pacers not playing defense, ranking 26th in defensive rating. Jalen Brunson should cook tonight. I’d lean toward the Knicks at -2.5.

When it comes to the total, that hit the board at 238 and has dropped slightly to 236.  This is the highest total the Knicks have seen this month. The Pacers can have that effect but I'd lean toward the early money.

I already think the Pacers could go below their team total, and the Knicks love to slow things down and make you play at their pace. New York has also been an Under machine this month. 

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Pacers vs Knicks betting trend to know

The Under is 14-2 in the 16 games since the Knicks acquired OG Anunoby. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Knicks.

Pacers vs Knicks game info

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