Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks - May 23, 2025

As the Indiana Pacers prepare to take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden, we find ourselves in an intriguing matchup that pits two teams with contrasting recent performances against each other. The oddsmakers have opened the Knicks as 5.5-point favorites, but based on current trends and statistics, I believe the Pacers will not only win but also cover the spread.

The Pacers come into this game riding a three-game winning streak and have been particularly impressive lately, boasting a record of 7-1 straight up in their last eight games. Their offensive efficiency has been remarkable, averaging 117.4 points per game on a shooting percentage of nearly 49%. They also excel in playmaking with around 29 assists per game, which speaks volumes about their ball movement and teamwork.

On the other side of the court, we have the Knicks who are averaging just under 115 points per game with a slightly lower shooting percentage of approximately 48%. While they do shoot well from beyond the arc (36.5%), their recent home performance has left much to be desired. They’ve struggled at home lately, going just 2-4 straight up in their last six games at Madison Square Garden.

Defensively, both teams show some vulnerabilities. The Pacers allow about 19 fouls per game while grabbing roughly 42 rebounds and securing over eight steals. The Knicks are slightly better defensively but still commit more turnovers (13) compared to Indiana’s average (13). This could be crucial as both teams look to capitalize on transition opportunities.

In terms of total points expected for this matchup—given that both offenses are firing on all cylinders—the total opened at 227 seems low considering both teams recently combined for a staggering total of 273 points in their last encounter. With Indiana hitting the OVER in six of their last eight games and showing no signs of slowing down offensively, I expect another high-scoring affair tonight.

With all these factors considered—Indiana’s current form, superior offensive stats, and historical trends against New York—I’m confident that they will emerge victorious once again tonight while covering that spread comfortably. Expect fireworks as both teams push for every point possible; this one is likely headed OVER as well!