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Tuesday's NBA playoff action: What bettors need to know
New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers (-5.5, 179.5)
Indiana leads series 2-1.
The Indiana Pacers fixed whatever had slowed them down in Game 2 and put together a strong defensive performance to take Game 3. The Pacers will be looking for a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals when they host the New York Knicks on Tuesday. The Knicks are dealing with some internal turmoil over shot selection while trying to work Amar’e Stoudemire back into the forward rotation.
New York center Tyson Chandler, who has had trouble guarding Indiana’s Roy Hibbert while also offering little on the offensive end in the series, was seemingly critical of Knicks shooters Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith. “I watched the tape myself and there’s open looks,” Chandler told reporters. “We have to be willing passers. You have to sacrifice yourself sometimes for the betterment of the team, for the betterment of your teammates. … I‘m not saying anyone is doing it maliciously. I think it’s moreso a situation, you want to take over the game or you want to make a big shot, where you have to just stick to the game plan.” The Pacers’ defense has forced New York to become a different offensive team by taking away the 3-point line.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE KNICKS: Chandler did not mention Smith or Anthony by name, but those are the two players taking the bulk of the shots and both have struggled. Anthony scored 16 points during a 30-2 run that sealed a Game 2 win but has otherwise had a hard time with Paul George and David West. The All-Star forward was held to 6-for-16 from the field in Game 3 and went 10-for-28 in Game 1, both losses. Smith, who has been dealing with an illness and missed his second straight day of practice on Monday, is 11-for-42 in the series and has not reached double figures in scoring in either of the last two contests. Chandler, who was named to the All-Defensive First Team on Monday, got into foul trouble in Game 3 and has averaged seven points and four rebounds in the series.
ABOUT THE PACERS: Indiana came out aggressively in Game 3 and quickly erased the sting of Game 2’s collapse. The Pacers’ commitment to the defensive end helped hold the Knicks to 35.2 percent from the field and limited them to 11 3-point attempts. Paul George (2-for-12) had more 3-point attempts all by himself and made up for a tough shooting day with some tight defense on Anthony and Smith. “That’s how we play Pacers basketball,” George said. “We just locked in, and it was just helping one another on the defensive end.” Indiana held a 53-40 rebounding edge in Game 3 as both Hibbert and West pulled down 12 boards.
TRENDS:
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Knicks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games.
* Pacers are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 Conference Semifinals games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Pacers are 4-0 at home in the postseason.
2. New York G Iman Shumpert (left knee) missed practice on Monday but is expected to play on Tuesday.
3. The teams combined for 32 turnovers and 46 fouls in Game 3
New York Knicks at Indiana Pacers (-5.5, 179.5)
Indiana leads series 2-1.
The Indiana Pacers fixed whatever had slowed them down in Game 2 and put together a strong defensive performance to take Game 3. The Pacers will be looking for a commanding 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals when they host the New York Knicks on Tuesday. The Knicks are dealing with some internal turmoil over shot selection while trying to work Amar’e Stoudemire back into the forward rotation.
New York center Tyson Chandler, who has had trouble guarding Indiana’s Roy Hibbert while also offering little on the offensive end in the series, was seemingly critical of Knicks shooters Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith. “I watched the tape myself and there’s open looks,” Chandler told reporters. “We have to be willing passers. You have to sacrifice yourself sometimes for the betterment of the team, for the betterment of your teammates. … I‘m not saying anyone is doing it maliciously. I think it’s moreso a situation, you want to take over the game or you want to make a big shot, where you have to just stick to the game plan.” The Pacers’ defense has forced New York to become a different offensive team by taking away the 3-point line.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, TNT
ABOUT THE KNICKS: Chandler did not mention Smith or Anthony by name, but those are the two players taking the bulk of the shots and both have struggled. Anthony scored 16 points during a 30-2 run that sealed a Game 2 win but has otherwise had a hard time with Paul George and David West. The All-Star forward was held to 6-for-16 from the field in Game 3 and went 10-for-28 in Game 1, both losses. Smith, who has been dealing with an illness and missed his second straight day of practice on Monday, is 11-for-42 in the series and has not reached double figures in scoring in either of the last two contests. Chandler, who was named to the All-Defensive First Team on Monday, got into foul trouble in Game 3 and has averaged seven points and four rebounds in the series.
ABOUT THE PACERS: Indiana came out aggressively in Game 3 and quickly erased the sting of Game 2’s collapse. The Pacers’ commitment to the defensive end helped hold the Knicks to 35.2 percent from the field and limited them to 11 3-point attempts. Paul George (2-for-12) had more 3-point attempts all by himself and made up for a tough shooting day with some tight defense on Anthony and Smith. “That’s how we play Pacers basketball,” George said. “We just locked in, and it was just helping one another on the defensive end.” Indiana held a 53-40 rebounding edge in Game 3 as both Hibbert and West pulled down 12 boards.
TRENDS:
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Knicks are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 road games.
* Pacers are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 Conference Semifinals games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Pacers are 4-0 at home in the postseason.
2. New York G Iman Shumpert (left knee) missed practice on Monday but is expected to play on Tuesday.
3. The teams combined for 32 turnovers and 46 fouls in Game 3
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