New York Knicks (51-31) vs Indiana Pacers (50-32)
Game Info: Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 8:00 pm (Madison Square Garden)
The Line: Betting Odds: New York Knicks -4.5 — Over/Under: 224
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers were one of the hottest teams headed into the playoffs, and it has only taken them 10 games to get past the Bucks and the Cavaliers to book their ticket to the Conference Finals. Pascal Siakam has been leading the team in scoring with averages of 18.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Tyrese Haliburton has been steering the offense with averages of 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per game. Myles Turner is averaging 16.5 points and 2.5 blocks per game. Andrew Nembhard has been a real spark plug off the bench as he is averaging 14.6 points and 6.0 assists per game. As a team, the Pacers are scoring 117.7 points per game while shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from the 3-point line.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the New York Knicks outlasted the Pistons in a dramatic six-game series, before they took it up another notch and upset the Celtics in a 4–2 series win in the second round. Jalen Brunson has led from the front with averages of 28.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game. Karl-Anthony Towns has been solid, with averages of 19.8 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. OG Anunoby has yet to hit his stride but is still averaging 15.8 points per game. Josh Hart has been filling the stat sheet with averages of 13.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. As a team, the Knicks are scoring 106.8 points per game while shooting 44.4 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from the 3-point line.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Pacers have lost 13 of their last 14 Eastern Conference Finals road games following a win.
- The home team has won 11 of the last 12 playoff games between the Pacers and Knicks.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in six of their last seven Eastern Conference Finals games as road underdogs.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in five of their last six night games.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last four games as road underdogs.
- The Knicks have lost six of their last eight games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last eight games as favorites against Central Division opponents following a win.
- The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last four road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Miles McBride ranks 4th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.6) this season.
- Jalen Brunson ranks 8th amongst qualified players for points per game (26.0) this season.
Indiana Pacers Player Facts
- T.J. McConnell ranks 6th amongst qualified players for assists per 36 minutes (8.9) this season.
- Bennedict Mathurin ranks T9th in the league for fast break points (277) this season.
Indiana Pacers vs New York Knicks Prediction
The Pacers weren’t really seen as contenders for most of the season, but they peaked at just the right time. They are now just four wins away from an NBA Finals berth if they can just get past the Knicks, who won two of three meetings between the teams during the regular season. It was a little surprising to see the Pacers easily beat the Bucks in the first round, and the way they exposed the Cavaliers in the Conference Semifinals was a real eye-opener. The Pacers put up some impressive numbers on offense so far in these playoffs, and they deserve plenty of credit for their improvements on the defensive end.
The Knicks were expected to beat the Pistons in the first round, but the way they beat the Celtics in the second round was truly impressive. There is a bit of a luck factor involved as the Celtics had to deal with key injuries, but the Knicks showed great resiliency to hang tough and erase two 20-point deficits to win Games 1 and 2 on the road. You can make an argument for either side in what should be a close contest, but I am leaning towards the Knicks, who to draw first blood at home in front of a packed house.