NBA: New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers (03/13/26)

Game Preview

The New York Knicks head to Indianapolis with momentum and a chance to keep tightening their grip in the East playoff picture, while the Indiana Pacers look to stabilize after a volatile stretch. New York’s offense has been humming lately, leaning into efficient shot-making and steady three-point volume. Indiana, meanwhile, has been fighting consistency, and the availability of several rotation pieces could shape how competitive this one feels late. With contrasting recent form and a potentially important injury report, this matchup has plenty of intrigue.

Game Information

Date	Friday, March 13, 2026
Tip-Off	7:30 PM EST
Location	Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Broadcast	Check local listings

Injury Report

Indiana Pacers Injuries

• Out: None reported
• Doubtful: None reported
• Questionable: Pascal Siakam (moderate impact), T.J. McConnell (minimal impact), Quenton Jackson (minimal impact), Aaron Nesmith (minimal impact), Obi Toppin (minimal impact)

New York Knicks Injuries

• Out: None reported
• Doubtful: None reported
• Questionable: Karl-Anthony Towns (low impact), Josh Hart (minimal impact)

Player Impact Summary: Indiana’s availability report carries more potential swing, with a larger usage-weighted impact hit of -11.1 on the Pacers side versus -1.3 for New York (both based on the latest update). If Indiana’s questionable group trends toward limited minutes or absences, it raises the risk of a lopsided game flow. New York’s key questions are notable, but the modeled impact is far smaller.

Pace & Efficiency Matchup

New York Knicks

In recent action, the New York Knicks have played at a measured 96.2 pace while producing an explosive 122.6 offensive rating over their last 10 games. Their shot profile has been highly efficient, backed by 60.6% true shooting and a strong 57.7% effective field goal mark. New York is also getting up plenty of threes at 37.8 attempts per game, converting 14.1 makes, which helps them build separation quickly when the perimeter is falling. Turnovers have been manageable at 13.6 per game.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have operated faster at a 99.2 pace, but their recent offensive output has been more middle-of-the-pack with a 110.5 offensive rating over their last 10. Indiana’s finishing and shot-making have been solid rather than dominant, with 55.6% true shooting and a 51.5% effective field goal percentage. The Pacers are taking a similar three-point volume at 38.6 attempts per game, but converting only 11.9 makes, which can create scoring droughts. Ball security has been slightly better at 12.9 turnovers per game.

Edge: New York has a pronounced recent efficiency advantage, pairing elite shooting with high-end scoring output, while Indiana’s recent offensive profile looks closer to average. The Pacers’ quicker tempo can add volatility, but it also creates more possessions for the Knicks’ efficient attack to separate if Indiana’s shooting lags again.

Rest & Travel Analysis

Factor	New York Knicks	Indiana Pacers
Miles Traveled (L10)	5,099	5,488
Timezone Jumps	6	2
Travel Fatigue Index	12.7	9.7
Back-to-Back?	No	Yes

Fatigue Edge: Indiana is on the second night of a back-to-back (last game dated March 12), which is a meaningful downside even at home. New York’s travel log is heavier in timezone disruption, but they are not on a back-to-back (last game dated March 11), giving them more recovery time. Overall, the situational edge leans slightly toward the Knicks due to rest, even if their broader travel strain is higher.

Lineup Synergy & Ref Tendencies

Synergy Score: New York Knicks: 10.5 | Indiana Pacers: -16.4

Synergy Edge: The Knicks’ rotations have graded out far more cohesive recently, while Indiana’s lineup combinations have underperformed expectations by a wide margin. That differential can show up most in non-starter minutes, where large spreads are often decided.

Referee Edge: Home Ref Impact: 0.2 | Away Ref Impact: 0.1 | Net Edge: 0.0

The officiating profile is close to neutral with only a slight lean toward the home side, not enough to meaningfully change a large number. In a game with a big spread, whistles matter less than shot-making and bench production.

Why New York Knicks Covers

New York’s path to covering starts with a sizable recent efficiency gap. Over their last 10 games they’ve posted an elite 122.6 offensive rating with 60.6% true shooting, which is the kind of profile that can create separation even without a track meet. The Knicks also have reliable three-point volume, hitting 14.1 threes per game, and the synergy numbers strongly support their rotation quality with a 10.5 mark compared to Indiana’s -16.4. Add in the schedule spot: Indiana is on a back-to-back, and their injury report carries a larger modeled drag at -11.1 usage-weighted impact. If the Pacers are short-handed or leggy, New York can win the non-starter minutes and turn a competitive first half into a comfortable margin.

Why Indiana Pacers Covers

Indiana can hang inside a big number if they control tempo with their faster 99.2 pace and generate a higher-possession game that increases variance. The Pacers are also getting up plenty of threes at 38.6 attempts per game, and if their conversion spikes above the recent baseline of 11.9 makes, it becomes much harder for any favorite to create true separation. There’s also a real situational angle in New York’s broader travel strain: the Knicks show a higher 12.7 travel fatigue index with 6 timezone changes in their recent window, which can affect legs and focus. If Indiana’s questionable players suit up effectively and the Pacers’ shooting cooperates, they can keep this game within range even if they don’t win outright.

The Pick

New York Knicks -13.5 (-110)