NBA Playoff Picks: Indiana Pacers vs. New York Knicks, Game 1

Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
Sunday, 5/5/13, 3:30 PM EST, TV: ABC
Opening Point Spread: New York -5
Current Betting Line: New York -5.5
Opening Total: 185
Current Total: 182.5
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The New York Knicks have advanced to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since 2000

Indiana moved past the Atlanta Hawks in six games of its Eastern Conference quarterfinal series, as it closed things out with a 81-73 victory as one-point road underdogs last Friday, while going UNDER the posted total of 186.5. The Pacers have four players averaging double figures during the 2013 NBA playoffs, with forward Paul George leading the way in scoring 21.6 points. Indiana is 7-3 ATS as road underdogs of 3.5 to 6 points this season, which can’t be ignored when making your NBA picks against the spread Sunday.

The Pacers were 19-21 overall when playing away from Bankers Life Fieldhouse during the regular season, while they dropped two of three at Philips Arena in the first round against the Hawks. Indiana and New York split four regular-season meetings, with each team winning both games on their home floor. There’s no question the locker room wants to come away with a victory in this spot, as the franchise has won 14 of 18 playoff series when opening a series in the win column.

New York jumped out to a 3-0 series lead in the opening round against the Boston Celtics, but ultimately needed six games to close things out, as it tallied a 88-80 victory as two-point road favorites last Friday. The Knicks are definitely aware that the physicality in this series is going to be something they must face head on in hopes of advancing to the Eastern Conference finals. “It’s definitely going to be a challenge,” commented Knicks center Tyson Chandler. The team was 31-10 at Madison Square Garden during the regular season, including a 20-6 mark versus conference rivals. New York is 19-8 ATS as home favorites of 3.5 to 6 points the last two-plus seasons, which is important to consider when looking over the NBA betting lines.

The Knicks are 17-18 all-time against the Pacers in postseason play, with a 12-6 record when playing inside this venue. New York is led by forward Carmelo Anthony on the offense end, averaging 29.1 points during the playoffs thus far. He finished the 2012-13 campaign with a scoring average of 28.7, which ranked just ahead of Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant for the top mark in the league.