The Knicks will face elimination again when they meet the Pacers tonight (8 ET, TNT) in Game 6 in Indianapolis.
The goals for each team are simple:
>The Knicks need to do more of what they did in Game 5 in New York, holding Tyrese Haliburton to eight points and six assists on 2 for 7 shooting from the floor and 0 for 2 shooting from 3.
>The Pacers want to avoid going back to New York for Game 7.
VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen previews the matchup:
New York does deserve credit for picking up Haliburton and Indiana closer to half court last game. But Rick Carlisle is too good of a coach not to figure that out. If the Knicks bring pressure again, the Pacers will find a way to break it. And it’s only a matter of time before they’re picking on the weak defense of Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns again.
Steve Makinen will post his Analytics Report.
>Matchup page with Makinen’s estimated score.
>Do your own homework with VSiN’s prop analyzer.
KillerSports NBA Playoff Challenge Update: Las Vegas pro bettor Steve Fezzik has a one-point lead over the aforementioned Zach Cohen heading into the NBA Finals with three picks remaining. (Only two contestants, Doug Kezirian and Erin Rynning, have a remaining picks out of their five allotted for the conference finals.) >>Standings and picks.
MLB today
VSiN data-cruncher Steve Makinen reveals early-season tendencies to help you handicap this weekend’s series.
I wish I would have read this nugget before Game 1 of the Reds-Cubs series:
The Reds boast a 15-12 record for +5.12 units when they have a lesser Makinen Bullpen Rating than their opponent, and they are currently on a 6-1 surge as an underdog.
>>Makinen’s Daily Power Ratings where you will find the bullpen rating.
Greg Peterson already has filed his top plays for today.
Josh Appelbaum and Steve Makinen will post their Best Bet contributions later this morning.
Quick Hits
Tennis: Zach Cohen posts his Best Bets daily during the French Open on our tennis page the day before. He and Gill Alexander have their plays on the tennis picks page.
College Baseball: We have Day 2 of the NCAA baseball tournament. Download the 24-page guide produced by VSiN regular Matt Grissom and his crew at College Baseball Insiders.
UFC: Lou Finocchiaro has three plays for the Vegas 107 card today at the Apex. Britton Hess will post his picks later today.
Horse Racing: “Mr. Ed” Sehon has picks for today’s menu at Churchill Downs. The Belmont Stakes is a week from today, and Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman preview the last Triple Crown race on VSiN at the Track >>Watch the replay.
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