NBA Saturday: Greg Frank picks the Fizdale-free Knicks vs Pacers, and tries to break a losing streak with a team on a losing streak

0-1 Friday (by half a point), 38-40-1 overall.

Pacers (-5.5) @ Knicks (207.5)

Pick: Knicks +5.5

Something I like to do in every sport is to bet on teams the game following a coaching change. Any time a team is struggling, the coach is usually the first to go and often it’s the easiest change to make. But that doesn’t mean it’s the only change that will be made. Therefore, I like to think the players on the team that just made a coaching change show up to work the next game with a little more fire and come with something to prove. When you’re 4-18 after 22 games like the Knicks are, everyone’s being evaluated and David Fizdale happened to be the first domino to fall. After coaching New York’s G-League affiliate for four years, Mike Miller gets a chance as the team’s interim head coach. As someone with no prior NBA head coaching experience, there’s a lot on the line for Miller in the final 60 games. Who knows if Steve Mills and Scott Perry will even be the ones that hire the next full-time head coach for New York, but this is potentially a 60-game audition for Miller to prove his worth the same way it is for a lot of the Knicks’ players. Firing Fizdale surely won’t drastically change the season for the Knicks, but we’re betting on it bringing out some more fire tonight. It was likely the reset that the franchise needed. They’ve just been hitting the reset button over and over again for the majority of the last two decades. For at least one night, the Knicks look like a team and keep this game within five against Indiana.

WANNA BET NBA BASKETBALL?

In New Jersey: PointsBet.com, Promo code: BETTORS (You can get two risk-free bets up to $1,000 if you qualify.) William Hill NJ (Deposit $50, get $50 cash) RIvers Casino NJ* (First deposit match up to $250)

In Pennsylvania: Rivers Casino PA* (First deposit match up to $250); Rivers Casino Pittsburgh* (First deposit match up to $250). Only 1x Wager Applies, Playable in PA Only

In most of Europe: William Hill UK; Pinnacle (No UK or Portugal); Asian Odds (No UK or Portugal)

In Asia: Pinnacle/Asian Odds

In parts of South America: Pinnacle/Asian Odds

In parts of Africa: Pinnacle/Asian Odds

*Note: First Deposit Bonus may only be claimed once per person across all Rivers websites

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER