The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are set to clash in a highly anticipated Eastern Conference Finals matchup at Madison Square Garden, with both teams riding impressive playoff momentum after upset victories in the semifinals.
The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson's 28.8 points per game in the postseason, enter as 4.5-point favorites after shocking the defending champion Celtics in six games, while the Pacers have silenced doubters by dismantling both Milwaukee and Cleveland in just five games each.
This series pits New York's methodical, defensive approach (NBA's slowest playoff pace) against Indiana's typically up-tempo offense that has shown surprising defensive improvement throughout their postseason run.
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers prediction: who will win?
For tonight's New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers matchup, our predictive model gives the Knicks a 58% chance of defeating the Pacers.
New York Knicks: 58% win probability
- Superior defensive efficiency (9158 points allowed vs Pacers' 9441)
- Strong recent form with multiple consecutive wins (WLLLW)
- Home court advantage with 51 wins on the season (tied for 3rd best in Eastern Conference)
Indiana Pacers: 42% win probability
- Defensive vulnerability (9441 points allowed, significantly higher than Knicks)
- Lower overall win total (50 vs Knicks' 51)
- Potential fatigue from recent schedule (despite WLWWW form)
At Sporting Post, our unique prediction model brings together insights from top NBA experts. Instead of searching through countless expert analyses online, you can rely on our predictions to capture the market's overall sentiment. We scan trusted sources, analyzing expert picks, data, and trends, while our AI assigns a confidence level to each prediction. These confidence levels are then averaged to generate an 'expert opinion' win probability—providing a data-driven reflection of the collective intelligence of the industry's leading NBA analysts.
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers odds
Here are the latest odds for the NBA clash between the Indiana Pacers and the home team New York Knicks taking place on Wednesday, May 21.
| New York Knicks | Indiana Pacers | |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | -180 (via DraftKings Sportsbook) | +160 (via FanDuel Sportsbook) |
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New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers preview
The stage is set for a heavyweight Eastern Conference Finals clash at Madison Square Garden as the third-seeded Knicks host the Indiana Pacers in Game 1 on Wednesday night, with both teams riding waves of momentum after impressive playoff runs that few saw coming.
New York enters as the favorite after dispatching Boston in six games, including a stunning 119-81 thrashing in the series clincher that showcased their defensive identity under Tom Thibodeau.
Indiana has silenced critics by steamrolling through Milwaukee and top-seeded Cleveland, going 8-2 in the playoffs behind Tyrese Haliburton's playmaking brilliance and Pascal Siakam's consistent scoring.
The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson's 28.8 playoff points per game, won two of three regular-season matchups, but the Pacers' high-octane offense (117.7 playoff points per game on 50.1% shooting) presents a fascinating contrast to New York's grinding, methodical style.
While the Garden crowd gives New York a considerable edge, Indiana's road resilience has been their calling card, winning their last four as away underdogs.
Expect a chess match between Indiana's push-the-pace philosophy and the Knicks' determination to slow things down, with the tempo battle potentially deciding who takes the early series advantage.
Key stats
- 1Knicks sit 3rd in Eastern Conference with a 51-31 record, showcasing their strong overall form
- 2Pacers rank just behind at 4th place with a 50-32 record, making this a matchup between close competitors
- 3Pacers bring momentum with a WLWWW recent form compared to Knicks' WLLLW pattern
- 4Pacers have a better offense (9624 points scored vs Knicks' 9494) but weaker defense (9441 points allowed vs 9158)
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers form
New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers head to head
New York Knicks
17%
Indiana Pacers
83%
Feb 12, 2025
Indiana Pacers
115 : 128
New York Knicks
Nov 10, 2024
Indiana Pacers
132 : 121
New York Knicks
Oct 25, 2024
New York Knicks
123 : 98
Indiana Pacers
May 19, 2024
New York Knicks
109 : 130
Indiana Pacers
May 18, 2024
Indiana Pacers
116 : 103
New York Knicks
May 15, 2024
New York Knicks
121 : 91
Indiana Pacers
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