Knicks vs. Pacers: A Thrilling Eastern Conference Finals Matchup with Expert Handicapper Insights
The 2023 NBA Eastern Conference Finals are shaping up to be a thrilling matchup between two of the East's best teams, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers. The Knicks have made a stunning turnaround this season, making it to the conference finals for the second time since 1975 and as a favorite for the first time since 1994. Their recent trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which saw them acquire Karl-Anthony Towns in exchange for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, has certainly paid off. They are currently -155 favorites to advance to the NBA Finals at BetMGM.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are back in the conference finals for the second consecutive year and are healthier than last year when they were swept by the Boston Celtics. Tyrese Haliburton and his team shocked the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers in the last round and will not be intimidated by the Madison Square Garden environment.
Handicappers Michael Fiddle and Carl Sack have shared their thoughts on the Knicks-Pacers series and their best bets. According to Fiddle, "The Knicks are coming in with a rest disadvantage, but because they closed Game 6 on Saturday, they still have four days off, which neutralizes that disadvantage. It was really important they closed that series in Game 6, so they didn’t have to travel to and from Boston." He also noted that his model had the regular-season numbers as Knicks -3.6 in Game 1, so Knicks -3.5 was spot on. He likes the Knicks at -4.5 or better in Game 1 and throughout the series, predicting a high-scoring series and a Knicks win.
Sack, on the other hand, believes that both teams played against teams that were undermanned or injured more than most people realize. He rates Indiana as a slightly better team on a neutral court but is waiting to make a bet on the series until after Game 1. He suggests backing Indiana in Game 2 or the series if the Pacers lose Game 1, citing a bit of revenge factor for the Knicks and great coaching from both teams.
Overall, this series is shaping up to be a must-watch for basketball fans everywhere. Whether you're a Knicks fan or a Pacers fan, you'll be treated to an exciting matchup between two of the East's best teams. The Knicks' recent trade and their current status as favorites may give them an edge, but the Pacers' experience and resilience should not be underestimated. This series is sure to be a thrilling and high-scoring matchup that will leave fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer sounds.
