Simon Dalton presents his prediction for the NBA Summer League match.
Both the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers have already been eliminated from playoff contention in the NBA Summer League, making this their final appearance in Las Vegas. The Indiana Pacers appear poised to end the tournament on a positive note and are expected to approach the game with a strong desire to win. In contrast, the New York Knicks have shown limited progress and cohesion in their performances.
New York Knicks
The New York Knicks have underperformed throughout the Summer League. They have lost two of their three games, suffering heavy defeats to the Detroit Pistons (86:104) and the Boston Celtics (81:94), with both games highlighting the squad’s lacklustre displays. Their sole win came against the Brooklyn Nets, 97:93, driven by Tyler Kolek and MarJon Beauchamp, who scored 25 points each. Apart from that, only Kevin McCullar Jr. has managed to hit the 30-point mark—against the Boston Celtics—while no other player has reached 20 points in any other game. Defensively, the Knicks have struggled significantly. They are conceding an average of 97 points per game, placing them 26th in the competition. Offensively, the team has also faltered, scoring just 88 points per game, which ranks 22nd.
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers, by contrast, have displayed notable attacking potential—even in defeat. Despite losses to the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Chicago Bulls, they showcased their offensive capabilities in a narrow 116:115 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers. RayJ Dennis has been a standout figure, registering 26 and 20 points in two of the three outings. The Pacers play with fluency and pace on offence, maintaining a high tempo and consistently pushing the ball up the court. They currently rank third in scoring across the Summer League, averaging 102 points per game—second only to the Atlanta Hawks in offensive production.
New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction
Given the contrast in form, individual performances, and offensive cohesion, the Indiana Pacers are understandably seen as favourites. The New York Knicks, lacking structure and shooting efficiency, are unlikely to keep up—especially in a game without playoff stakes. Back the Indiana Pacers to secure the win.
