New York Knicks (51-31) vs Indiana Pacers (50-32)
Game Info: Friday, May 23, 2025 at 8:00 pm (Madison Square Garden)
The Line: Betting Odds: New York Knicks -6 — Over/Under: 225.5
The Indiana Pacers and NY Knicks meet Friday in the NBA playoffs Game 2 at Madison Square Garden. Here’s a Indiana Pacers vs NY Knicks Prediction. This article will include a Indiana Pacers vs NY Knicks Pick.
Indiana Pacers Betting Preview
The Indiana Pacers look to take an overwhelming 2-0 series lead. The Pacers have won five straight road games. The Pacers have won seven of their last eight games overall.
The Indiana Pacers are averaging 119.5 points on 50.2 percent shooting and allowing 114.3 points on 44.6 percent shooting. Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 18.7 points and 5.4 rebounds, while Pascal Siakam is averaging 18.6 points and 6.1 rebounds. Myles Turner is the third double-digit scorer, and Aaron Nesmith is grabbing 6.1 rebounds. The Indiana Pacers are shooting 40.6 percent from beyond the arc and 78.9 percent from the free-throw line. The Indiana Pacers are allowing 33.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 41.3 rebounds per game.
NY Knicks Betting Preview
The NY Knicks need a win to have a real chance of winning this series. The Knicks are 3-4 at home in these playoffs. The Knicks are 8-5 in these playoffs overall. The Knicks haven’t lost two straight games since April 10-11.
The NY Knicks are averaging 109 points on 45 percent shooting and allowing 108.4 points on 44.2 percent shooting. Jalen Brunson is averaging 29.9 points and 3.7 rebounds, while Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 20.9 points and 1.2 assists. OG Anunoby is the third double-digit scorer, and Mikal Bridges is dishing 3 assists. The NY Knicks are shooting 35.5 percent from beyond the arc and 74.5 percent from the free-throw line. The NY Knicks are allowing 34.5 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 43.2 rebounds per game.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Knicks have won each of their last eight home games following a home loss.
- The Pacers have lost 13 of their last 15 Eastern Conference Finals road games following a win.
- The Knicks have covered the spread in four of their last five games following a loss.
- The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine Friday night games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a winning record.
Why the Indiana Pacers will win
- The Pacers have won each of their last five games as road underdogs.
- The Knicks have lost four of their last five playoff games as home favorites against Central Division opponents.
- The underdogs have covered the spread in seven of the Pacers’ last eight games.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four playoff games as favorites against Central Division opponents.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Miles McBride ranks 4th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (4.6) this season.
- Cameron Payne ranks 7th amongst qualified players for assist:turnover ratio (3.9) 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 NY Knicks Injury Report
The Pacers will be without Isaiah Jackson due to an Achilles injury.
The Knicks don’t have any players listed on their injury report.
Indiana Pacers vs NY Knicks Prediction
I liked the Pacers entering this series and game 1s result only strengthen my stance. While the Knicks haven’t lost two straight games in well over a month, it’s not going to be easy to get off the canvas after such a result. Teams are 970-0 over the last 27 postseasons when having a 14-plus point lead with less than 2:50 left in regulation before that result. It was a historic collapse. We also can’t just say the Knicks will play harder or whatever, as they continue to play their starters into the ground. The longer the Knicks play, the more it favors the opposition. The Pacers are the deepest team in the league. The Pacers have also won five straight road games in these playoffs. Since April 27, the Pacers are 6-1 SU as an underdog. Since December 29, the Pacers are 9-3 SU when underdogs of five or more points. At some point we have to admit these Pacers are good. Give me the points.