Indiana
Knicks vs. Pacers: Our betting advice on spread, total & moneyline for Saturday
The New York Knicks (33-19, 2nd in Atlantic) wrap up their five game homestand as they welcome in the Indiana Pacers (29-24, 3rd in Central) on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
New York suffered its second defeat in three games as three starters — Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and OG Anunoby — all missed the team’s 122-108 loss versus the Dallas Mavericks.
To add insult to injury, Isaiah Hartenstein, who’s starting for an injured Mitchell Robinson, left Thursday’s game early due to a sore left Achilles.
The Pacers are coming off of a 131-109 loss against the Golden State Warriors, where two-time MVP Stephen Curry scored 29 points in the first half versus Indiana, and finished with 42 points and 11 three-pointers.
These two teams met not long ago when the Knicks took care of business in a 109-105 victory on Feb. 1 at MSG.
Can the short-handed Knicks get back on track against the Pacers? Here’s my betting breakdown for this Eastern Conference matchup.
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NY Knicks vs. Pacers spread: Advantage Pacers
After covering in seven straight games, the Knicks are now 0-3 against the spread (ATS) since their nine-game winning streak came to an end.
The Pacers have not been much better, going 4-5-1 ATS over their last 10 contests, but importantly have failed to cover in five of their previous seven matchups.
With New York likely down multiple starters, take Indiana to cover in this one.
They’re 4-2 ATS when they’ve been a road favorite this season and are 13-9-2 in the following game after a loss.
Even though this line hasn’t come out yet, I expect the Pacers to be between a three-to-five point favorite and that’s comfortable enough for me to advise taking them to cover on Saturday night.
Prediction: Pacers cover the spread
NY Knicks vs. Pacers total: Bet the over
If both these teams were at full strength, this would’ve been a must-watch matchup as you have the best offenses (Pacers) against a top three scoring defense in the Knicks.
Indiana averages nearly 124 points per game (PPG) this season and ranks top-10 in field goal percentage made (46.6 percent), three-point percentage (37.8 percent) and three-pointers made per game (13.6 per contest).
Thanks to a 28th-ranked scoring defense, the Pacers excel at going over this year.
The problem for the over hitting an expected high line is not on Indiana due to a high-powered offense and an inadequate defense.
The way this game hits the implied over is if New York’s offense, down multiple top options, can still take advantage here.
That being said, even with the Knicks expected to be missing at least 60 percent of their starting five, I believe they’ll put enough points up on the board for the total to be the right play in this matchup.
Prediction: Bet the over
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NY Knicks vs. Pacers moneyline: Pacers
Down their top players, New York failed to keep up last time out on their home court against the Mavericks.
Donte Divincenzo has stepped up in a big way with the absences of Brunson, Anunoby and more.
The former first round pick is averaging 28.5 PPG in February and scored 30+ in three of his last five games.
In fact, Divincenzo put up a season-high 38 points against these Pacers back on Dec. 30 in Indiana.
The good news is the Knicks, who were one of the most active teams at the NBA trade deadline, should have recently acquired Alec Burks and Bojan Bogdanovic in the lineup after trading for the duo Thursday afternoon.
I do believe New York can keep it close versus this struggling Pacers defense. However, after Thursday’s performance and potential chemistry concerns following two new players having to play a majority of the minutes, I think the Knicks will lose three out of four games for the first time since the New Year.
Bet the Pacers on the moneyline when the odds are available.
Prediction: Pacers 119, Knicks 113
INDIANAPOLIS (WRTV) — Indiana saw a significant decline in veteran homelessness last year, despite the total number of homelessness rising across the state.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) annual estimation of the homeless population, known as the Point in Time (PIT) count, Indiana saw an 18.7% decline in veteran homelessness in 2025 compared to the year before.
That marked the second-largest decline of any state by percentage.
Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Indiana specializes in assistance for veterans facing homelessness. CEO Emmy Hildebrand told News 8 the formula that’s finding success is the same that works with any at-risk group: housing and wrap-around services.
Hildebrand said that the formula needs support from the state.
“There is no state funding supporting homeless services in our state,” Hildebrand said. “And very little local funding outside Indianapolis.”
Safety net programs have faced budget cuts, with lawmakers eliminating funding for the Housing First program in 2025. It supported organizations helping people secure stable housing.
And housing advocates have criticized Indiana’s public camping ban as essentially making it illegal to be homeless.
HVAF client Terri Massey, a 34-year-old Navy veteran, said the stigma of being homeless was the most difficult challenge to overcome.
“I’m still trying to provide for my kids,” Massey said “I’m (not) out here being lazy or not trying to do better.”
Massey was working, supporting her children, but found herself sleeping in cars and hotel rooms because she didn’t have stable housing. “Going to that work, working 10 hours, leaving, going to sleep in my car.”
HVAF helped place Massey in a permanent apartment. HVAF also placed Massey in a different kind of “bootcamp” years after her time in the military, learning job skills. She’s looking for a job, but thankful to do it from a place she can call home.
“I am beyond grateful and thankful. I literally pray and thank God every day,” Massey said. “Because for the longest I felt like I was alone. And I had to figure everything out by myself. I didn’t.”
It’s estimated that seven percent of Indiana’s homeless are veterans. Hildebrand said there are federal funds for organizations working with veterans, which support HVAF’s programs.
Still, finding permanent housing is a struggle.
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, for every 100 extremely low-income households in Indiana, just 34 rental homes are affordable and available.
“There are so many people on the bubble that are just one emergency away from living in their car, staying with friends and family, or living on the streets because we don’t have the appropriate system here in Indiana,” Hildebrand said.
Hildebrand said lawmakers assured her they would work to support homeless services, but she hasn’t seen any drafted legislation that might be introduced in the next legislative session.
Across the country, about one in 25 people experiencing homelessness previously served active duty in the armed forces, according to numbers from HUD. Veteran homelessness declined 56% between 2009 and 2025.
The Indiana Department of Environmental Management has issued an Air Quality Action Day for July 8th in Northwest Indiana.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, also known as the “orange” level. While not everyone will notice or be effected by the conditions, and while they may not be as severe as recent wildfire smoke events, individuals with asthma, COPD, and other health issues should proceed with caution when exercising outside.
Ozone levels are expected to be in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range, also known as the “orange” level. (WSBT Photo)
The affected area is all of Northwest Indiana, including the cities of: Crown Point, Gary, Hammond, Kentland, LaPorte, Michigan City, Portage, Rensselaer, Valparaiso and all other cities in the region, especially those near Lake Michigan.
Warm temperatures, mostly sunny skies, and light and varied winds coming off of Lake Michigan are expected to contribute to elevated ozone levels.
To stay up to date on issuances and quality levels in Indiana, visit SmogWatch.IN.gov.
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