Knicks vs Pacers

Storylines, unexpected success, hot streaks, revenge game, All-Star statements, stylistic clash, this game has it all.

[Mitchell Robinson](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robinmi01.html), who is averaging 7.5PPG, 9RPG and 1.7BPG while shooting 69.3% from the field, will continue to man the middle for the Knicks. The personnel and coaching difference can also be seen in the rebounding category, where the Knicks rank third in the league with 47.2RPG while the Pacers are sixth worst in the league with just 42RPG. If the third year forward out of Vanderbilt is a no go, then expect [Jalen Smith](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/smithja04.html) (6’10”, 215 lb.) to get the start. [Aaron Nesmith](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nesmiaa01.html) (6’5”, 211 lb.) will continue to get the start if he can feel better by game time but as mentioned above, he is dealing with a non-COVID related illness and did not practice yesterday. [Julius Randle](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/randlju01.html), who has been everything Knicks fans wanted, and more, will look to get back on track after what was one of, if not, his worst offensive games of the season. [Buddy Hield](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hieldbu01.html) (6’4”, 220 lb.), who is having an incredibly solid season averaging 18PPG, 2.7APG, and 4.8RPG on 45.4% from the field and 42.6% from 3 on 9 attempts per game. [Andrew Nembhard](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nembhan01.html) (6’5”, 193 lb.) who is averaging 8.4PPG, 3.7APG, and 3.1RPG while shooting 47.6% from the field and 40% from 3. He is notably shooting 71% from the free throw line (way lower than his career and season averages) and the 3.5TOPG (way higher than his career and season averages) aren’t ideal but that is nitpicking to the highest degree and I digress. [Immanuel Quickley](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/q/quickim01.html) will get the start again. [Knicks](https://www.postingandtoasting.com) were expected to struggle to make the play-in game, and the [Pacers](https://www.indycornrows.com) were expected to do even worse. In a battle between two teams that have compelling arguments for the most overachieving team in the league so far, the Knicks will look to make it two wins against the Pacers this season and tie them for the sixth seed in the conference. McConnell (shoulder) who are both listed as day-to-day, and the Knicks will still be missing RJ Barrett yet these two teams are in the midst of very solid seasons that have seen the 23-18 Pacers and 22-19 Knicks climb their way up to the sixth seed and seventh seed respectively.

The Indiana Pacers take on the New York Knicks on the road for their second meeting this season. Here are the latest odds, injury report and predictions.

Jan. [especially Tyrese Haliburton](https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10059246-wally-szczerbiak-calls-tyrese-haliburton-a-wannabe-fake-all-star-after-missed-shot), extra motivation to try and take this one on the road. The latest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook have New York as -4.5 favorites at home against visiting Indiana. The Knicks have already beaten the Pacers this season in a 109-106 road comeback on December 18. It must be noted that Indiana has already lost to the latter in their lone meeting this season. Myles Turner led the team in scoring with 29 markers as the entire starting unit scored double-digits.