Pacers vs. Knicks Same Game Parlay | Game 2

The Indiana Pacers covered the 5.5-point spread as underdogs in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the New York Knicks, and they had the upset in their sights when they took a 115-113 lead with only 1:33 left on the clock.

It wasn’t meant to be, as the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson scored five points in the final minute, tallying a game-high 43 points in New York’s 121-117 victory.

Indiana’s defense is not their strong suit, allowing 120.3 points per game in the regular season (28th in the NBA), the most of any playoff team.

The Pacers have allowed 111.7 in the playoffs so far, but they’ve played six of their seven playoff games against a Giannis Antetokounmpo-less Milwaukee Bucks squad.

Those defensive struggles from Indiana should lead to impressive performances from a series of opposing players, as was the case in their previous series against Milwaukee, with Khris Middleton averaging 24.7 points and 9.2 rebounds and Bobby Portis recording 16.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in the six-game series.

For reference, Middleton averaged 15.1 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in the regular season, while Portis averaged 13.8 points and 7.4 rebounds.

If Indiana is going to provide an offensive boost to opposing players, I’ll look to exploit that in a Same Game Parlay for this Game 2 matchup.

I’ll be placing this SGP ticket on FanDuel.

Tyrese Haliburton – PG, Indiana Pacers

In Game 1 of this series, Haliburton only scored a total of six points on 2-of-6 shooting. For a player of Haliburton’s caliber, those numbers are comically low.

In three regular season appearances against the Knicks, Haliburton averaged 19.6 points per game, so his scoring numbers from Game 1 have nowhere to go but up.

Also in those three regular season contests, Haliburton recorded 13.3 assists per game, including a season-high 23-assist performance against New York on December 30th.

Haliburton produces more dimes than the U.S. Mint.

DIME. DROPPER.

Tyrese Haliburton’s 23 assists ties a franchise record for assists in a game 💪#NBAAllStar | https://t.co/T6jmxAXvtp pic.twitter.com/RduCfun4W2

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 31, 2023

If the Pacers are going to even this series tonight, they’ll need Haliburton to quarterback this offensive unit, just as he did in the previous series against Milwaukee.

In the first round against the Bucks, Haliburton picked up 10 or more assists in three games, with 10 or more points as well, collecting three double-doubles.

With a heavy workload expected, Haliburton should collect plenty of numbers in tonight’s boxscore.

Pick: Haliburton – To Record a Double-Double | (+115) FanDuel

Myles Turner – C, Indiana Pacers

Pacers’ center Myles Turner chipped in offensively with 23 points in Game 1, and with the Knicks losing big man Mitchell Robinson for the rest of the season, the scoring lanes may be even wider in Game 2.

After averaging 17.1 points in the regular season, Turner has picked up the scoring pace in the playoffs, averaging 19.7 points per game.

When Turner has been on the floor for more than 30 minutes this postseason, he’s averaging 22.2 points per game.

The 6-foot-11 center is a decent shooter from beyond the arc, knocking down 41.7% of his three-pointers this postseason, including a 7-for-9 shooting performance from long range against the Bucks in Game 4 of Round 1.

New York has allowed 1.27 three-pointers per game to opposing centers, third-most in the NBA, so I’m expecting Turner to get a few open looks from the outside.

Turner’s also pretty strong in the paint, too.

MYLES TURNER THROWS DOWN THE MASSIVE POSTER 🤯🤯🤯

Bucks-Pacers | Game 4 on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/Iej1IJcnns

— NBA (@NBA) April 29, 2024

The Pacers should frequently attack the Knick’s depleted frontcourt, and Turner should provide a chunk of Indiana’s inside offense.

Pick: Turner – OVER 17.5 Points | (-114) FanDuel

Obi Toppin – PF, Indiana Pacers

New York’s frontcourt is going to depend largely on Isaiah Hartenstein and Precious Achiuwa to protect the rim in Game 2, and much like Turner getting some open shots on the outside, I’m expecting Toppin to get some as well.

Toppin has been a solid contributor off the Pacers’ bench, scoring at least 12 points in each of the last five games, including 21 in Indiana’s series-clinching win over the Bucks on Thursday.

Toppin recorded 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, going 2-of-3 from three, and as a former Knick himself, one might think that Toppin has revenge on his mind.

Also, Obi’s brother, Jacob Toppin, is a member of the New York organization, and today just happens to be Jacob Toppin’s birthday.

Nothing like arriving at Madison Square Garden and getting the better of your former employer and showing up your brother on his birthday, all on the same day.

Interesting motivations aside, Toppin is the top forward off Indiana’s bench, and when coach Rick Carlisle has called his number, he has stepped up this postseason.

Pick: Toppin – OVER 9.5 Points | (-108) FanDuel

Josh Hart – SF, New York Knicks

Since the beginning of the NBA Playoffs, Knicks’ small forward Josh Hart is averaging 46.6 minutes per game, and considering that an NBA game is only 48 minutes long, Hart has basically worn the sole off of his sneakers.

Hart was a decent role player for New York in the regular season, averaging 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, but in the postseason, Hart has taken his game to the next level, averaging 17.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game.

Grown man coming down the lane 😤 pic.twitter.com/KrM6D222gT

— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 7, 2024

Those accumulating numbers will naturally rise when a players’ minutes per game jumps up by 13 minutes.

Jalen Brunson has scored 40+ points in each of the last four games, but that wildly successful offensive run may not be sustainable, so other players such as Hart, Donte DiVincenzo and OG Anunoby will have to step up in the scoring department.

On the defensive end, Hart created plenty of havoc in Game 1, collecting three steals against the Pacers.

Nothing too rare for Hart, considering that he tallied 21 multi-steal games in 81 regular season appearances.

With Hart seeing over 40+ minutes per game, he should have ample opportunity to upend some of Indiana’s offensive possessions.

Pick: Hart – OVER 16.5 Points | (-102) FanDuel

Pick: Hart – To Record 2+ Steals | (+185) FanDuel

Game 2: IND vs. NYK SGP Legs – FanDuel	Odds
Tyrese Haliburton – To Record a Double-Double	+115
Myles Turner – OVER 17.5 Points	-114
Obi Toppin – OVER 9.5 Points	-108
Josh Hart – OVER 16.5 Points	-102
Josh Hart – To Record 2+ Steals	+185
IND vs. NYK SGP Odds	+3009

A $10 wager on this Same Game Parlay would payout $300.98 on a winning ticket!