NY Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers, Picks and Prediction, Thursday, December 18, 2025
Use Code WWWC We have an NBA Cup Champion taking on a team that went to the NBA Finals last season and was a finalist for the Cup in 2023 in this Knicks vs. Pacers prediction. New York (19-7) is coming off a 124-113 win on Tuesday over the Spurs as a 2.5-point favorite to win the NBA Cup for the first time from Las Vegas. The Pacers are 6-20 and have lost two straight games, including a 108-89 loss to the helpless Wizards at home as a 10-point favorite on Sunday. Indiana took four of six games against the Knicks in the playoffs, but the Knicks took two of three in the regular season. New York is a 3.5-point road favorite and the total is 221.5. Check out more free NBA picks and bowl predictions at Winners and Whiners.
New York flexes its muscles against Spurs
You can say that the Knicks caught a break when facing San Antonio, who shocked OKC in the semifinals of the NBA Cup. But when you beat the best team in the league and you have Victor Wembenyama, it's not going to be a cakewalk. It wasn't one as the Knicks rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to beat the Spurs by 11. They dominated the Spurs on the boards, 67-56, and outscored them 35-19 in the fourth quarter. OG Anunoboy led the Knicks with 28 points, while guard Jalen Brunson, who was named NBA Cup MVP, added 25.
The Knicks are finally healthy, with role players Landry Shamet (shoulder) and Miles McBride (ankle), out for this one. Brunson is the straw that stirs the drink with 28.8 points and 6.4 rebounds, while shooting 48.7% from the field and 37.6% from long range. Karl-Anthony Towns adds 22.4 points and 11.9 rebounds with 3.2 assists.
The Knicks rank third on DunksandThrees.com in Adjusted Net Rating, second in Adjusted Offense, and 12th in Adjusted Defense.
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Rough start for Indiana
If you're Rick Carlisle, not only are you looking at the scouting report for the other team, but checking your injury report every night. Guards Ben Sheppard (calf) and Aaron Nesmith (knee) are the closest to returning amongst Obi Toppin (foot) and Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), who is out for the season. Nesmith could return next week, and they could certainly use his toughness, defense, and 15.5 points per game. The Pacers have lost two straight games to Washington and Philadelphia, after winning two straight.
The hope was that things would turn around when Bennedict Mathurin (20.1ppg, 5.5rpg) returned from injury. Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers in scoring with 23.8 points and in rebounds with 6.8, while shooting 47.6% from the field. A bigger issue is up front, where they miss Myles Turner. They rank 27th in the NBA in rebound rate, while the Knicks rank fifth. On DunksandThrees, they rank 25th in Adjusted Net Rating, 29th in Adjusted Offense, and 21st in Adjusted Defense.
Spread Pick for Knicks vs. Pacers
Knicks vs. Pacers Prediction and Pick
- Indiana -3.5 (5 units)
The intangibles go to Indiana due to extra rest, but the Knicks have revenge on their minds. The Knicks do most things better, including rebounding and shooting. Indiana ranks last in the NBA in field goal percentage, and the Knicks rank fifth in the NBA in field goal percentage defense. Indiana is also 1-3 SU and ATS in their last four home games. The Knicks have won six straight games and have covered all six.
- Under 221.5 (4 units)
The Pacers are 14th in pace of play, but their poor shooting has helped them go under in four straight games and seven of nine. New York is 28th in pace of play as they like to get to the ball to Towns down low and are just as methodical under Mike Brown as they were under Mike Thibodeaux. They are also 7-3 Under their last 10 games, not counting the NBA Cup final.
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