NBA: New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction & Match Preview
On Wednesday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana, the New York Knicks will face the Indiana Pacers for the first time this season.
The New York Knicks will be kicking themselves for their defensive blunders, which allowed the Toronto Raptors to rally from a large hole to win. Despite missing Pascal Siakam and rookie sensation Scottie Barnes, the Raptors came back to win an amazing game.
Tom Thibodeau’s teams have a history of playing excellent defence, so they’ll make the necessary adjustments against a tough Indiana Pacers squad on their home court.
The Indiana Pacers have never been fully healthy this season, but they’ve always battled strong opponents like the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat. It will be another difficult stand against an energetic and motivated New York Knicks club if those on the extensive injured list are unable to participate.
Against the rebuilding San Antonio Spurs, Rick Carlisle’s players were outstanding. The Indiana Pacers, on the other hand, will find the New York Knicks to be more offensively and aggressively capable, especially following their loss to the Raptors.
Match Details
Fixture: New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers | 2021-22 NBA season.
Date & Time: Wednesday, November 3rd; 7:00 PM ET (Thursday, November 4th; 4:30 AM IST).
Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN.
New York Knicks Preview
Even after that loss to the Raptors, the New York Knicks’ ferocious offensive exhibition has shown no signs of letting down. They are third in the league in terms of offensive rating (113.5), second in three-point percentage (40.8%), and first in three-point shots made (16.6) per game.
On defence, the New York Knicks are doing the exact opposite of what you’d expect from a Tom Thibodeau-led club. They are now 20th in the league in Defensive Rating, allowing opponents to score an average of 109.8 points per game.
The Knicks surrendered 38 points in the third quarter, effectively turning the game over to the Raptors. In the third quarter, Nick Nurse’s squad shot 55.6 per cent from the field and went 7-14 from deep, with Nurse making no substitutions.
Julius Randle with 18 Points, 4 Rebounds, 3 Assists, 83% FG, 4 threes in the 1st Quarter. š¤ pic.twitter.com/aKGRKKSVd7
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) November 2, 2021
The New York Knicks must learn to play to their typical defensive standards if the shots don’t fall. The defence cannot afford to have a bad night. Unfortunately for the Knicks, their impressive start to the season has been fueled by their offence.
New York Knicks Predicted Lineup
G – Kemba Walker | G – Evan Fournier | F – RJ Barrett | F – Julius Randle | C – Mitchell Robinson.
Indiana Pacers Preview
The health of key players has delayed Rick Carlisle’s task of figuring out this Indiana Pacers roster. T.J. Warren has yet to play a minute of football, while Caris LeVert has only recently joined the team.
Malcolm Brogdon has been out with a hamstring injury since the Toronto Raptors game. Isaiah Jackson is out with a knee ailment, while Jeremy Lamb is remained out with an ankle sprain. Carlisle’s injury issues have prompted him to use unusual units at times, which has harmed the team’s chemistry.
The health and play of their starting frontcourt of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis have been their saving grace. Their frequently odd position in the lineup has been questioned, but they have been leading the Indiana Pacers for quite some time.
If the Pacers are to be competitive, they must rely on their frontline to keep up their strong start. They’ll also rely on Chris Duarte, a rookie, for production and hustle.
Indiana Pacers Predicted Lineup
G – T.J. McConnell | G – Caris LeVert | F – Chris Duarte | F – Domantas Sabonis | C – Myles Turner.
Knicks vs Pacers Match Prediction
The New York Knicks will be disappointed with their loss to the Toronto Raptors. They couldn’t stop the Raptors from rallying after another promising and dominating start. They’ll be eager to make amends against the Indiana Pacers this time.
The Pacers, on the other hand, were at their best against the Spurs in San Antonio. Despite being shorthanded, they scored 131 points in their highest-scoring game of the season. The New York Knicks could be in for another surprise if Malcolm Brogdon returns.
Both teams will go head-to-head in this game. The offensive firepower of New York might be too much for Indiana to handle. Tom Thibodeau’s team has a chance to beat the Indiana Pacers in a seesaw battle.