The New York Knicks will try to avoid elimination when they host the Indiana Pacers on Thursday, May 29. Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals tips off at 8:00 PM ET from Madison Square Garden. Indiana leads the series 3-1 after winning both games at home. New York must win to extend the series to Game 6.
Indiana won Game 4 by a score of 130-121, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s historic triple-double. The Pacers have now won six straight playoff road games. New York is 30-19 at home this season, but injuries and turnovers have caused problems in the series.
Knicks Preview – Backs Against the Wall at Home
New York ended the regular season with a 51-31 record and is now 60-38 overall. They are the 3-seed in the East and went 30-19 at Madison Square Garden. In the series, they’ve only won Game 3, coming back from 20 points down to win 114-109.
Jalen Brunson has carried the offense, averaging 33.3 points across four games. He scored 31 in Game 4 and has gone over 30 in three straight. Brunson also added five assists and two steals in the loss. His playmaking is the key for the Knicks to keep pace.
Karl-Anthony Towns had 24 points and 12 rebounds in Game 4 but is listed as questionable with a knee issue. He has been hurt in back-to-back games. The team also gets solid minutes from OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges, who combined for 39 points last game. The Knicks’ main weakness has been turnovers, averaging 15 per game in this series, which leads to easy buckets the other way.
Pacers Preview – Haliburton Leading the Charge
The Pacers are the 4-seed with a 50-32 regular season record. They are now 61-35 overall. Indiana has been great away from home, going 26-21 on the road and winning six straight road playoff games. They’ve taken control of this series by running the floor and forcing turnovers.
Tyrese Haliburton had one of the best playoff games in league history in Game 4. He recorded 32 points, 15 assists, 12 rebounds, five threes, and four steals with no turnovers. He’s creating plays in transition and breaking down the Knicks’ defense with ease.
Pascal Siakam added 30 points on 11-of-21 shooting and has scored 30 or more in two of the four games. Bennedict Mathurin was a spark off the bench with 20 points in just 12 minutes. Aaron Nesmith, who is battling an ankle injury, chipped in 16. The Pacers are pushing the pace and have a 65-23 edge in fast-break points over four games. That’s a big part of why they’re in control of the series.
Betting Prediction
New York enters as a 4.5-point favorite with the total set at 222.5. They are 49-48-1 against the spread on the season. Indiana is 46-49-1 ATS but has covered twice in this series already. Indiana has also won the moneyline in 51 of their last 71 games, a strong trend to consider.
With Towns not 100%, it’s hard to trust New York. The Pacers have the series momentum and a point guard playing at an elite level. The pace and transition play give Indiana an edge. Look for a close game, but Indiana should stay within the number and may win outright. Predicted score: Pacers 116, Knicks 112.
Pick: Pacers +4.5
