NBA Playoffs: New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers Game 4
Game 4: New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers Tues. May 14, 2013 7 p.m. ET
The first three games are officially in the books for the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks in their second round playoff series with Paul George and company taking a two games to one series lead. Although the Knicks were considered to be the better all-around basketball team coming into this series with Las Vegas odds in their favor, New York hasn’t been able to get the best of a motivated Indiana squad.
During the majority of the regular season, the Knicks were one of the best offensive teams in the league. Carmelo Anthony and company were able to light up the scoreboards on a nightly basis. Unfortunately, the Knicks haven’t been able to put it together over the past three games and as a result the team hasn’t been as advertised leading to speculation that the Pacers may very well be the better team.
Following the loss to Pacers in Game 3, New York has been determined to turn things around before heading back to Madison Square Garden for Game 5. Part of the problem for the Knicks appears to be shooting. Carmelo Anthony, and especially reigning Sixth Man of the Year J.R. Smith, have struggled immensely during this series and will need to step it up in Game 4 in order to get New York back in this series.
At this point in time, the Knicks are the underdogs once again against the Pacers with a -5 point spread in favor of Indiana. New York will almost certainly come out more aggressively and ready to prove a point, but the Pacers may have already won this series in terms of dictating tone and will win Game 4 while covering the spread as a result.