With every first round series complete the field for the 2024 NBA Playoffs has been cut in half leaving fewer games on the schedule as we move ahead. Every day for the week starting on May 6 has two games on it except for the day we’re using to build a NBA parlay. On Wednesday, May 8 only one game is on the slate with an Eastern Conference semifinal matchup between old rivals the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. You have to go back three decades to when this matchup was one of the nastiest in the NBA. The clubs met in the postseason six times between 1993 and 2000, including three times in the Eastern Conference Final, with each team winning three series. This is the first playoff matchup between them since the Pacers eliminated New York in the 2013 Eastern Conference semifinals.
The teams met three times during the regular season with the Pacers winning twice, including a 125-111 triumph in the only matchup inside MSG. Dating back to the final meeting of the 2022-23 season, the Pacers have cashed in three of the last four meetings. There have also been some high scoring games between the two with the winning club scoring at least 125 points in four of the last five encounters. The Pacers were most efficient offensively during the season leading the NBA with an average of 123.3 points. They scored at least 120 points in all four wins to oust Milwaukee cashing the OVER each time.
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NBA Parlay Picks for Wednesday, May 8, 2024
New York ATS
Indiana / New York OVER
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I hit on one of my two same game NBA parlays last week backing the Celtics in their win over Miami. I took a loss on the game between Dallas and the Clippers, though, foolishly backing LA without Kawhi Leonard. The more they play the more I understand why James Harden, Paul George and Russell Westbrook have never been part of a championship team. Anyway, overall it’s been a successful postseason, though I haven’t won as much as I’d like. But sportsbooks aren’t operating to hand out money.
This is an intriguing matchup between one of the best offensive teams in the Pacers and New York’s relentless defense. In their two wins Indiana scored 140 and 125 points while scoring 105 in their setback. That gives us a good idea of what each team needs to do in order to be successful. The Pacers thrive on offense ousting the Bucks with an attack led by Tyrese Haliburton. But they are so much more. The in-season deal for Pascal Siakam has paid dividends. The former Toronto Raptor, who played a major role in that team’s 2019 NBA title, averages 22.3 points on 54.7 percent shooting from the field and leads six players who average in double figures.
The total figures to be smaller than what we saw during the regular year when all three games were above 235. Playoff intensity is a thing leading to the number likely being smaller. In their first round matchup with the Bucks the last five games had a total at 225.5 or lower and the teams cashed the OVER in five of them. Every game in the Knicks series with Philly had a total below 210 with the OVER at 4-2.
I also believe the Pacers caught a major break not having to face Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round. The absence of the two-time MVP seriously impacted Milwaukee’s chances. And it didn’t help the Bucks when Damian Lillard came up lame in Game 3. The Knicks are as complete as they can be heading into this series with Jalen Brunson an absolute baller. He scored at least 40 points in each of the last three games in the Philly series and dropped 39 in the contest before that streak. This figures to be a much more difficult matchup for the Pacers and with the Knickerbockers at home I’m backing them to cover.
NBA Schedule for Wednesday, May 8
Indiana at New York, 8 p.m. ET / TNT
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