The Eastern Conference Finals continue Friday night as the New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. Tip-off is set for 8:00 PM ET. New York finished the season 51-31, good for third in the East, while Indiana went 50-32 to claim the fourth spot.
Game 1 was a wild one. The Knicks had a 14-point lead with under three minutes left, but the Pacers stormed back to win 138-135 in overtime. Aaron Nesmith hit six three-pointers in the fourth quarter alone, while Tyrese Haliburton ended with 31 points and 11 assists. The Knicks got 43 from Jalen Brunson and 35 from Karl-Anthony Towns but couldn’t hold on.
Knicks Preview – Bouncing Back from Game 1 Collapse
New York played well for most of Game 1 but let it slip in the final minutes. Brunson and Towns combined to shoot 26-for-42 from the floor. OG Anunoby and Josh Hart also contributed on defense and the boards, but the team struggled with late-game execution.
The Knicks ranked 10th in defensive scoring this season, allowing 111.2 points per game. Their perimeter defense must improve after giving up 8-of-9 shooting from deep to Nesmith. They were solid at home this season, posting a 30-18 record at Madison Square Garden.
New York has strong trends in the early quarters. They’ve hit the 1st quarter moneyline in 20 of their last 26 games and covered the 1Q spread in 16 of their last 24. That fast start will be important if they want to avoid falling behind in the series.
Pacers Preview – Late Game Heroics Continue
The Pacers once again showed they can heat up quickly. Nesmith’s eight threes were a personal best, and Haliburton continues to be the engine with his mix of scoring and passing. Indiana also got solid help from Andrew Nembhard, Myles Turner, and Pascal Siakam, each contributing double-digit scoring in Game 1.
Indiana is seventh in the league in scoring, putting up 117.6 points per game. They rank third in field goal percentage and third in assists per game. On the defensive side, they matched the Knicks by allowing 111.2 points per game, showing similar balance.
The Pacers are especially good in late-game spots. They have covered the 4Q spread in 40 of their last 58 games and hit the 4Q moneyline at a 69% clip over that span. They also have a winning road record and have won two of their last three visits to MSG.
Betting Prediction
The Knicks are 6.5-point favorites at home. The total is set at 225.5. While Game 1 went well over the number, both teams know they need better defense. The Knicks will likely slow the pace and try to control the early game again.
New York’s trends in the first half, plus their shooting efficiency, suggest they will be ready to bounce back. Indiana can’t rely on another near-perfect shooting night from Nesmith. Look for the Knicks to win and cover at home to even the series.
Pick: Knicks -6.5
