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Indiana Pacers vs. N.Y. Knicks Game 2 NBA Preview & Free Pick

Indiana Pacers (1-0) at New York Knicks (0-1)

Uh, the New York Knicks do know, don’t they, that as the playoffs advance into the next round, the competition tends to get a little better?

Eastern Conference
Tuesday, May 7
Madison Square Garden, New York
7 p.m. EST
Spread – Knicks -6
O/U – 183

The Knicks had best get their act together, and in a hurry. Down 1-0 to the Pacers in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, the Knicks need to show a knack for winning or they might crawl into a hole too deep to escape.

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New York was clearly not ready for the Pacers in Game 1 at Madison Square. The Knicks took a modest lead into the second period, then were unable to respond for the next 24 minutes as the Pacers controlled tempo, harassed Carmelo Anthony into bad shot after bad shot, and took a 16-point cushion into the final period.

If the Knicks thought they could manhandle the Pacers defensively the same way they took care of the gassed Celtics in the late going of games in Round 1, they were mistaken. Au contraire. Indiana’s physical style was too much for Knicks, and when it was time to crack nuts, it was New York that turtled.

The Knicks that take the court tonight know that their season could very well be on the line. Fifty-four regular-season wins will mean nothing if they don’t at least get to the Eastern Conference finals.
Anthony turned in another semi-bowser in Game 1, needing 28 shots (10 makes) to score 27 points. [ad-6571516]

But it was in the paint that the Knicks were trashed, as Indiana outrebounded New York, 44-30, and all but forcing NY coach Mike Woodson into making a major lineup adjustment for Game 2. It’s possible that we see more of Chris Copeland tonight, and it will certainly help if Tyson Chandler – who fouled out in just 28 minutes in Game 1 – can stay in the game.

Indiana, meanwhile, will just keep on keepin’ on. With six players scoring in double figures (and Tyler Hansbrough one layup from making it seven), the Pacers are content to spread the sugar and make the Knicks play defense for 48 minutes. A 2-0 lead heading to the Midwest could put what many feel is an overrated Knicks team out on a steep ledge.

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NY will no doubt come out spitting bullets in this one, given the alternative. But 6 points seems like a heavy line considering the way that Indiana can suck it up and play well on the road and NY’s tendency to mentally check out. The Knicks, after all, gave up 20 consecutive points to the Celtics before holding on in Game 6. Woodson isn’t a dope, and he’ll make a few offensive adjustments to free up his shooters, so we’re liking the over play on a 183 total.

By Lawrence Paul

Lawrence Paul is back in the saddle as a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog. He's got an AMAZING knack for predicting when a team will have a letdown! Stick with our resident gambling experts sports betting tips all season long!