Knicks vs. Pacers NBA Playoffs Preview, Picks

In what’s a stunning and reasonably unexpected 2025 NBA Japanese Convention finals matchup, the No. 3-seeded New York Knicks will quickly embark on a best-of-seven sequence with the No. 4-seeded Indiana Pacers to find out who will compete for a shot on the Larry O’Brien trophy. 

Take a look at Odds Shark’s preview for this highly-anticipated showdown, full with betting odds, matchup histories, and closing predictions. 

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Sequence Odds

Odds courtesy of FanDuel; Correct as of Might 17, 2025

The previous couple of video games towards the Boston Celtics did include Jayson Tatum unavailable attributable to a torn Achilles, and the Cleveland Cavaliers additionally handled their justifiable share of accidents, however each New York and Indiana had been capable of overcome the efforts of the top-two seeds within the East and a pairing most had projected seeing at this stage of the bracket to advance to inside 4 wins of a Finals berth. That is the furthest the Knicks have gone within the postseason since 2000 when it conveniently performed the Pacers within the convention finals earlier than falling in six video games, whereas Indiana reached this stage a yr in the past previous to Boston taking it out in a clear sweep simply forward of capturing the title. 

Extra importantly, nonetheless, is the truth that Indiana and New York met within the second spherical of final yr’s playoffs in a aggressive seven-game sequence which the Pacers in the end took by successful on the street. O.G. Anunoby solely suited up for 3 appearances, although, and Jalen Brunson ended up breaking his hand within the finale at Madison Sq. Backyard. 

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Sequence Schedule

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Unfold/Complete Betting Historical past

Neither crew really ended up protecting the purpose unfold extra usually than they did not through the common season, with Indiana possessing one of many weaker information in that market at 36-43-3 with solely 5 groups ending worse off. New York was simply marginally higher at 40-41-1, however it did cowl twice throughout three video games versus the Pacers each on the street and at dwelling. 

The OVER/UNDER division is a extra forgiving sector as simply six groups had extra UNDERs than OVERs all through the 2024-25 marketing campaign. Indiana achieved an OVER 53.8-percent of the time and the Knicks had been proper behind at 51.8 %. 

(Associated) 2025 NBA Playoff Series Prices

New York Knicks Participant To Watch: O.G. Anunoby

Toronto Raptors followers attending to witness former gamers in O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam swimsuit up for different organizations, albeit with a golden alternative so as to add one other ring to their respective resumes, should be bittersweet. Anunoby may obtain extra of the vocal help from that fanbase in the event that they’re certainly invested on this sequence as he wasn’t energetic by the 2019 championship run attributable to harm, whereas Siakam was arguably the second-best participant on that squad. 

The 27-year-old wing is an Indiana Hoosiers alumnus which is a enjoyable connection right here, however whereas his bread and butter comes as a 3-and-D wing and lockdown defender, shockingly sufficient, the Knicks have been 13.2 factors per 100 possessions higher defensively this postseason when Anunoby is not on the ground. New York is an ideal 6-0 by two rounds when he scores 20 or extra factors, not less than, and whereas that aforementioned defensive metric clearly is not inspiring, Anunoby could possibly be the last word x-factor towards a Pacers crew loaded to the brim with perimeter choices with large effectivity if he can discover a method to impose his will on that finish of the ground.

Indiana Pacers Gamers To Watch: Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard

Connecting again to how Indiana is on an historic tempo with its efficient field-goal share, the 2 gamers presently rating one and two total within the Affiliation, respectively, in that class are Aaron Nesmith at 65.2 % and Andrew Nembhard at 60.6 %. The icing on the cake is that Siakam sits third at 60.1 %, in order that’s going to place the Knicks’ protection to the check if that retains up. Each Nesmith and Nembhard have seen noticeable bumps of their offensive output past simply being insanely environment friendly, averaging an an identical 14.6 factors whereas every changing higher than 48 % from behind the arc. 

There was solely 9 events through the common season when Nembhard scored 17 or extra factors, however he is already pulled that off in 5 of his 10 playoff appearances to date. Nesmith is also seeing a ton of time locked up with Brunson on the defensive finish as soon as once more along with his cell 6-foot-5 body, and maintaining Brunson comparatively in verify would suck the life out of New York’s offensive sport plan. 

New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers Sequence Prediction: Knicks To Win Sequence In Seven (+360)

This one is a head-scratcher so far as choosing a facet to prevail, with the lone element which feels good being that this sequence will go the gap similar to it did final yr. The Knicks’ depth chart has clearly undergone some huge modifications for the reason that final time these groups squared off beneath these circumstances, however a majority of the roster which felt the agony of that Sport 7 defeat at Madison Sq. Backyard remains to be round and can undoubtedly be out for redemption to keep away from related failures. 

The Pacers have not given bettors a lot of a purpose to choose towards them, although. They’re 8-2 to date, have not misplaced greater than a sport in every of the primary two rounds, and will make historical past with an efficient field-goal share of 58.3 % which is on tempo to be the strongest playoff quantity in league historical past. Solely the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder completed with a bettor successful share from Jan. 1 onward, as nicely, so the truth that Indiana has reached the convention finals in consecutive seasons should not be all that stunning. 

Solely Tyrese Haliburton is taking part in greater than 33 minutes per sport, and head coach Rick Carlisle goes deep into his bench with eight gamers contributing higher than 8.5 factors and 11 gamers having seen the ground for not less than 96 whole minutes. That is the polar reverse method for New York’s coach Tom Thibodeau, who’s infamous for working his starters heavy minutes and barely rolling along with his second unit, primarily limiting it to Miles McBride, Mitchell Robinson, and the occasional burst from Cameron Payne. 

Having 4 days off between rounds will profit the Knicks immensely, despite the fact that the Pacers can have had greater than every week off to get better having not performed since Might 13. Well being is such a vital element right here, as New York was banged up and damaged down in 2024, but nonetheless took Indiana to the restrict earlier than crashing out in Sport 7. The added incentive of not eager to repeat historical past after all helps, and the Knicks’ shorter rotation may really profit them right here if the Pacers’ backups are going to proceed being a focus. A house-court benefit did not do them a lot good the final go round, however it may make the entire distinction on this planet for a sequence finale with New York nonetheless attempting to finish its 51-year championship drought. 

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