New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction 5/25/25 NBA Picks

New York Knicks Betting Preview 

The New York Knicks are officially in serious trouble of getting swept after falling short against the Pacers in a 114-109 defeat on Friday to fall behind 0-2 in the series. Jalen Brunson continued his strong form with 36 points and 11 assists on 13 of 27 shooting, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each scored 20 points, while OG Anunoby chipped in with 16 points.

As a team, the Knicks shot 47 percent from the field and 11 of 32 from the 3-point line as they got off to a solid start and took the narrow lead into halftime. However, the Knicks never led by more than seven points before they fell victim to another second-half barrage from the Pacers. It wasn’t a blowout by any means, as the Knicks trailed by just one point with 14 seconds remaining. The Knicks needed more from Josh Hart who finished with just six points while the bench combined for just 11 points in total. 

Indiana Pacers Betting Preview 

Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers must be brimming with confidence after outlasting the Knicks in another close contest to take a commanding 2-0 series lead heading back to Indiana. Pascal Siakam has been relatively quiet for the Pacers so far these playoffs, but he made a statement with a game-high 39 points on 15 of 23 shooting, Myles Turner added 16 points while Tyrese Haliburton tallied 14 points with eight rebounds and 11 assists.

As a team, the Pacers shot 51 percent from the field and 13 of 30 from the 3-point line as they leaned heavily on Siakam to carry their offense through the first half. Before the Pacers poured in 65 points in the second half to silence the Knicks’ fans for the second straight game. This was far from a clinical victory, as the Pacers almost blew a 10-point lead late in the game, before they capped off the game with free throws to take full control of the series. 

Why the Indiana Pacers will win

• The Pacers have won each of their nine previous playoff games against the Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
• The Knicks have lost each of their last four Eastern Conference Finals games against Central Division opponents.
• The Pacers have covered the spread in each of their last nine Sunday night games.
• The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in five of their last six playoff games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Why the New York Knicks will win

• The underdogs have won each of the Pacers’ last four playoff games.
• The Pacers have lost Game 3 in each of their last four playoff series’ when leading the series 2-0.
• The underdogs have covered the spread in eight of the Pacers’ last nine games.
• The Pacers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five home games after winning as underdogs.

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.

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.

New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Prediction

The Knicks are coming in with a full squad once again, while the Pacers are still playing without the injured Isaiah Jackson. The Knicks really needed to respond after suffering a heartbreaking defeat in the series opener, but things went from bad to worse in Game 2 on Friday. The Pacers hold all the momentum in the series headed back home, so the pressure is completely on the Knicks to come out swinging, or they will find themselves staring down the barrel of a 3-0 series deficit.

While the Pacers have been the better team overall so far, it has been so close that the Knicks could easily be up 2-0. The Pacers are certainly tempting as the short favorites at home, but while I don’t have the Knicks coming back in this series, I do think they throw their best punch and escape with a win on the road. 

Peter Tran's Pick: New York +1.5