NBA Game 6 Pick Prediction Indiana Pacers versus New York Knicks Odds Playoff Preview 5-18-2012

The New York Knicks will be out to stave out elimination and force a game seven as they take the court in Game 6 of their NBA first round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in a pro basketball game on Saturday night. Tip off time for Game 6 from Indiana is scheduled for 8PM Eastern Time with national television coverage provided by ESPN.

The betting odds from this NBA playoff contest has the home side Indiana Pacers favored by -4 ½ points with an over under line of 177 ½ points. Early money from the bettors has not moved this betting line since the odds were released a few hours ago.

The New York Knicks force a Game 6 in this Eastern conference first round playoff series off their 85-75 home victory on Thursday night against Indiana as a -5 point betting favorite. The game ended under 181 ½ points.

It was a low scoring first half as New York goes up 40-34 at the half in victory. The Knicks shoot 41% from the floor and made 7 of 18 three pointers. They got to the free throw line 17 times and made 14 shots. The team had three less rebounds but took care of the basketball with eight less turnovers. Carmelo Anthony led New York with 28 points and six rebounds as he made 12 of his 28 shots. Chris Copeland gave the Knicks a lift off the bench with 13 points and four boards on 4 of 6 shooting. New York has been held to 85 or fewer points in their past three games. At Indiana in this playoff series the team has averaged just 76 ½ points per contest while losing both games by 11 points. The Knicks are 11th in the NBA in scoring off by averaging 100 points a game. They have broken 100 points just once in the five games of this series.

The Pacers shot just 36.2% in their defeat in Game 5 and made 6 of 19 from three. Indiana lost the game at the free throw line by missing 14 of their 33 shots from the charity stripe. Paul George led the Pacers with 23 points and six boards as he made 7 of his 18 shots. David West contributed with 17 points and he pulled down 10 rebounds on 7 of 17 shooting. Indiana played without their leading assists man George Hill who missed Thursday’s game with a concussion. Hill is listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game.