PREVIEW: The Indiana Pacers arrive in New York with an 8-0 away record and a dominant 7-1 against-the-spread mark in road contests , positioning themselves as one of the league's most reliable visiting teams. The Knicks counter with a sturdy 7-2 home record and an equally impressive 7-1 ATS home mark , setting up a fascinating clash between two teams firing on all cylinders in their respective environments. Indiana's defensive profile reveals critical vulnerabilities: they rank 26th in defending three-point shooting while allowing a high volume of rim attacks at 29th , weaknesses that a methodical home team could exploit. New York's interior defense ranks among the elite at 3rd in limiting shots at the rim, while their 3rd-ranked three-point defense forces opponents into difficult looks. The Pacers operate at the league's fastest pace, testing New York's rim protection and on-ball pressure defense, particularly without Robinson anchoring the paint. Indiana does show considerable mid-range activity at 4th in frequency, though their rim attacking efficiency sits at 24th , suggesting they'll need to lean on perimeter shots and pace to generate scoring opportunities. New York counters with efficient three-point shooting ranked 3rd and strong offensive rebounding at 4th , giving them multiple avenues to control possessions and limit Indiana's transition opportunities. Both teams' elite coverage rates suggest this contest will likely remain tightly contested throughout, with history showing recent matchups have trended toward high-scoring affairs decided by narrow margins.