Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks

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On December 30th, the New York Knicks (17-14) are set to face the Indiana Pacers (16-14). The Pacers have showcased a strong performance this season, particularly in their pace, defense, and strategic play that creates effective shooting opportunities.

When up against Tyrese Haliburton, the Knicks must emphasize their defensive efforts, particularly in locking down the perimeter. Under the guidance of coach Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks have thrived on a robust defensive strategy, which has been instrumental in their consistent progress in recent seasons.

While the injury report for the Knicks hasn't been disclosed, Mitchell Robinson is confirmed out for the season, Jericho Sims is managing an ankle injury, Jalen Brunson's availability is uncertain due to his ankle, and Evan Fournier has been grappling with an illness.

Contrarily, apart from Bruce Brown, the Pacers seem to have a fully fit roster for the upcoming game. Hence, they might capitalize on a two-man offensive play involving Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, aiming to exploit the Knicks' defensive limitations in the middle.

The New York Knicks, with an impressive four-game winning streak, are set to face the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Knicks boast a solid 46-33 record for the season, carrying a commendable 23-16 away record. Conversely, the Pacers stand at 34-45 overall and 20-19 at home.

Injury-wise, the Pacers are missing Tyrese Haliburton and Chris Duarte due to ankle injuries, while Myles Turner is uncertain with an ankle issue. For the Knicks, RJ Barrett's participation is doubtful, and Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson are ruled out due to ankle and hand injuries, respectively.

New York has shown strength on the road this season, maintaining a 23-16 record and an impressive +1.5 net rating, ranking among the league's best. Defensively, the Knicks lead in limiting points in the paint (45.6 per game) and rank top three in opponent shooting (46.0%). They also showcase top-10 stats in 3-point and 2-point defense, with a top-five rank in restricting fast break points and an above-average performance in allowing assists.

Offensively, the Knicks might capitalize on the Pacers' defensive weaknesses. Indiana struggles as the NBA's weakest team in defensive rebounding, securing less than 69% of missed shots. Additionally, they rank in the bottom five in preventing free throws and assists.

The New York Knicks rank among the top five in offensive rating, showcasing a strong performance with over 1.25 points scored per possession across their last four games. They excel in offensive rebounding, securing top-three positions in both second-chance points (16.1 per game) and offensive rebound rate (31.6%).

When playing at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the Indiana Pacers significantly outperform their away record, boasting a 20-19 home record this season. The Pacers lead the NBA in fast break points with 18.1 per game, ranking within the top six for 3-pointers (13.5 per game) and assists (26.8 per game). They demonstrate above-average accuracy in free throws (79.0%) and 3-point shots (36.4%). Conversely, the Knicks struggle in creating turnovers, ranking among the bottom five teams with just 12.7 takeaways per game.

Defensively, the Indiana Pacers excel with top-three rankings in blocked shots (5.8 per game) and top-10 positions in turnovers created (15.1 per game) and steals (7.7 per game). However, the New York Knicks face challenges in their offensive game, particularly in perimeter shooting, and they average only 22.8 assists per game, placing them among the bottom three teams in this aspect.