The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks re-ignite their rivalry on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
The pregame narrative: Karl-Anthony Towns is banged up, which has me fading his point total against Indiana’s strong defence. I’m also backing Mikal Bridges to clear a modest rebound and assist total at plus money.
Check out my Pacers vs. Knicks prop picks for Feb. 11.
Pacers vs. Knicks prop picks
Best bet: Bridges over 6.5 rebounds/assists (+106)
Bridges might have to assume a larger scoring role with KAT’s current form (more on that later) but he should still be in play to clear this number.
The first-year Knick is averaging 3.2 assists per game this season. He has at least two assists in 11 straight contests and cleared this line five times. That’s a solid passing floor to work with.
He’s posted similar stats as a rebounder — 3.1 per game — and should have solid opportunities to flourish on the glass tonight.
OG Anunoby (foot) is questionable having not played since Feb. 1. and Josh Hart (knee) is probable but has been lacking in the rebounding department with a nagging injury.
Indiana is also allowing the fifth-most rebounds per game to small forwards over the last 30 days, according to Fantasy Pros, and will likely be without Myles Turner (neck sprain).
Bridges had seven rebounds and four assists against the Pacers on Nov. 10 and finished with one counting stat shy of this mark in the first meeting on Oct. 25.
Key stat: Bridges is averaging 4.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists in his last five games against the Pacers. In that span, he’s never finished with fewer than six rebounds/assists and cleared this line three times.
Quick pick
Towns under 24.5 points (-112): Our Jordan Horrobin faded Towns against the Boston Celtics on Saturday and it went swimmingly.
KAT finished with just nine points on 3-of-8 shooting in a blowout loss. It marked the sixth time in the last seven games that he fell short of this total.
The concern with Towns is a lingering thumb injury suffered on Jan. 15. Horrobin pointed out some noteworthy splits in his write-up, and I’ll lay them out again.
- Pre-injury (38 GP): 25.4 PPG, 55.0 FG%, 44.9 3PT%
- Post-injury (9 GP): 18.1 PPG, 44.4 FG%, 30.0 3PT%
The big man is fighting it and won’t get a soft landing spot against the Pacers on Tuesday. Indiana is 13-4 in the new year and behind some great defensive basketball.
Rick Carlisle’s squad is sixth in defensive rating (111.5) since Jan. 1.
Picks made at 11:40 a.m. ET 02/11/2025.
Avery joined NorthStar Gaming as an intern in 2022 before stepping into a full-time role soon after. He loves betting on and analyzing golf — mainly because it’s easier than actually playing — but is a fan of all sports, from the NFL to the UFC.