I'm on the Pacers +6 @ the Knicks in game 1 for these reasons:

- Both teams are going to need to adjust to each other, so I expect a low scoring game with the Pacers struggling slightly with the Knicks tough defense, but I also think the knicks scoring will be compromised after going 7 games with Philadelphia.

- Indianas shooting ability from deep will keep then in this game, they are more efficient overall this season than the Knicks from deep and from the field overall.

- Indiana have size and that's going to be tough for the players available in the post for the Knicks. Myles Turner and Pascal Siakam have been going off this playoffs and he'll be hard to handle for Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson because those two are more agile than Embiid was, also they are going to be able to draw Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson out of the paint because they can shoot threes, which stretches the defense which will limit the rebounding for the Knicks big men.

- Pace of play of Indian does not match the Knicks style of play. Knicks are in trouble if the Pacers dictate the speed of this game.

- Pacers have been surprisingly good defensively. Yes they didn't play a fully healthy Bucks team, but they held their own vs Lillard and shut down their big men Bobby Portis and Brook Lopez who are better than NYs Hartenstein and Mitchell Robinson.

Official Play: Pacers +6

Side Bet: Pascal Siakam over 31.5 Points-Rebounds-Assists

Hail Mary: Pacers Moneyline