NY Knicks (34-18) at Indiana (29-22)
- When: Feb 11 2025, 7:30 PM
- Where: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- TV: TNT
Game Preview
New York (-3.0) | Total: 240.0
A pair of Eastern Conference contenders look to rebound from disappointing losses when the New York Knicks travel to Indianapolis to take on the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. Both teams suffered double-digit defeats on Saturday, with the Knicks getting dismantled by the Celtics and the Pacers falling behind early against the Lakers. With both squads looking to regain momentum, this matchup could prove pivotal in the Eastern Conference standings.
New York Knicks
The Knicks (33-19) remain one of the East’s top teams, but their 131-104 loss to Boston was a wake-up call. Jalen Brunson scored 36 points, but New York struggled defensively, allowing Boston to shoot 54.1 percent from the field and 48.7 percent from deep.
For the fourth straight game, OG Anunoby (foot) is expected to be sidelined, limiting the Knicks’ defensive flexibility. Karl-Anthony Towns had a season-low nine points, and the Knicks lacked offensive balance outside of Brunson.
Despite winning seven of their last nine games, the Knicks have struggled against elite teams, something Towns addressed after the loss.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do. If we’ve got aspirations, we have to find ways to win games like this,” Towns said.
Consistency has also been an issue, as Brunson noted:
“We have these great games where we look dominant, then we have games where we’re asking, ‘What just happened?'”
New York split its first two meetings with Indiana this season and now looks to take the season series lead in a crucial road matchup.
Indiana Pacers
The Pacers (30-24) have been surging, going 19-7 since Dec. 13, but they’ve struggled with slow starts—a trend that continued in their 124-117 loss to the Lakers on Saturday.
Indiana was outscored 44-22 in the first quarter, a deficit they couldn’t fully erase. Pascal Siakam finished with 23 points, but Tyrese Haliburton was held scoreless in the opening quarter.
Head coach Rick Carlisle didn’t hold back his frustration.
“You cannot survive doing this and having these kinds of poor starts,” Carlisle said. “We’ve gotta look in the mirror and figure out how to fix it.”
Indiana returns home after a 2-2 road trip and will be focused on avoiding another early-game hole. The team will also monitor the status of center Myles Turner (cervical strain), who missed Saturday’s game.
Despite the struggles, Haliburton remains confident in Indiana’s offense.
“I felt like we were getting exactly the shots we wanted,” Haliburton said. “They just haven’t been falling for whatever reason. It is what it is.”
Betting Prediction & Props
Spread Lean: Knicks -3.0 – New York’s defense and size advantage should allow them to dictate the pace.
Total Play: Under 240.0 – The Knicks play at a slower tempo, and Indiana’s recent shooting struggles could lead to a lower-scoring game.
Prop Bets to Watch:
Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 Points – With Anunoby out, Brunson will continue to carry the scoring load.
Tyrese Haliburton Over 9.5 Assists – Haliburton should bounce back after a quiet outing in Los Angeles.
Pacers 1st Quarter Team Total Under 30.5 – Indiana has struggled with slow starts, making this a strong angle.
The Knicks’ defensive edge and Indiana’s slow-start issues give New York a clear advantage in this matchup. Expect the Knicks to cover the spread while the Pacers struggle early once again.
- NBA Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
