At a time when 1990’s fashion is making a comeback, it only seems fitting we would get a classic 90’s NBA rivalry in the Eastern Conference finals.
While it might not be “Reggie vs. Spike”, there’s no love lost between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks heading into Game 1 of this series Wednesday night.
If Indiana is going to invade Madison Square Garden – like those past Pacers teams did – it will need an all-out effort from power forward Pascal Siakam.
He’s the focus of my best NBA picks and Pacers vs. Knicks predictions for on May 21.
Who will win Pacers vs Knicks Game 1?
Bookies have this down as a two-possession game in favor of the Knicks, but Indiana is different beats than New York’s last two foes. The Pacers will have fresh legs powering their frenzied approach and I like Indiana to pull off the upset in Game 1 and take one in MSG.
Pacers vs Knicks prediction
My best bet: Pascal Siakam Over 6.5 rebounds (-135 at bet365)
Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam continues to do the dirty work for the Pacers’ postseason push, averaging almost 19 points and more than six rebounds per game over 32 minutes of action.
Indiana is calling on Siakam to clean the glass against the New York Knicks after the Pacers were pushed around on the boards in the playoffs. New York really got after misses against Boston (rebound rate of 51.7%) while Indiana was undersized on the boards versus Cleveland, boasting a rebound rate of just 46%.
Siakam still averaged 6.4 rebounds over the five games with the Cavaliers with his advanced metrics showing 11.2 rebounding chances. Those possible boards could spike in this series with New York, considering the pace of play.
Indiana aptly wants to push the pace and boasted the fastest tempo in the conference semifinal round while the Knicks were drawn into the slowest series of Round 2 versus Boston. That uptick in tempo will produce more possessions and field goal attempts, upping the opportunities for rebounds.
Siakam, who has grabbed seven or more rebounds in four of his 10 postseason games so far, is drawing player projections between 7.8 and 8.8 boards in Game 1. The prop market is also showing confidence in Siakam to record seven or more rebounds, with his Over 6.5 climbing to as expensive as -145.
My number comes out to 7.8 rebounds which should have the Over 6.5 asking juice around -175. However, you can shop around and find the best value with Over 6.5 -135 at bet365.
Pacers vs Knicks same-game parlay
Pascal Siakam 7+ rebounds
Pascal Siakam 20+ points
Indiana Pacers +4.5
Siakam’s Game 1 forecasts all sit well above 6.5 boards with a ceiling close to nine.
Game 1 projections also like Siakam to score at least 20 points in what should be an up-and-down game.
I don’t think the Knicks are ready for the Pacers’ chaos on both ends and Indiana walks out of MSG with the cover as 4.5-point underdog.
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Pacers vs Knicks odds
Pacers vs Knicks live odds
Pacers vs Knicks opening odds
- Spread: Indiana +4.5 (-110) | New York -4.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: Indiana +155 | New York -185
- Over/Under: Over 224 (-110) | Under 224 (-110)
Odds courtesy of bet365
Pacers vs Knicks spread and Over/Under analysis
- Oddsmakers installed New York as a 4.5-point home favorite for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals. That spread has bounced between that opener and -4 in the days leading up to tipoff.
- The Over/Under total opened at 223 points and has jumped to 224 O/U with early opinions on the Over. These teams played Over in two of their three regular season encounters.
- According to Covers Consensus, 64% of spread picks are taking the points with the Pacers while 60% of total picks are backing the Over in Game 1.
Pacers vs Knicks trend
Indiana is 4-1 SU and ATS as the road team so far in the NBA Playoffs and 5-2 ATS as a point spread underdog. Find more NBA betting trends for Pacers vs. Knicks.
How to watch Pacers vs Knicks
| Location | Madison Square Garden, New York, NY |
| Date | Wednesday, 5-21-2025 |
| Tip-off | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV | TNT, truTV, max |
Pacers vs Knicks latest injuries
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