For the second straight season, the Indiana Pacers are back in the Conference Finals, but this year, they’ll face the New York Knicks with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line. These two teams met in the Eastern Conference semis last season, and the Pacers defeated the injury-riddled Knicks in seven games.
Each team is led by a clutch PG who has hit multiple big shots in this year’s playoff run to reach this point, and this series should be highly entertaining. My Pacers vs. Knicks props and NBA picks for Wednesday, May 21 key in on a prop for each star guard as well as an under-the-radar play for a backup big man.
Best Pacers vs Knicks props
Brunson Under 7.5 1Q points (+100)
Haliburton double-double (+140)- Robinson Over 12.5 points & rebounds (-110)
Pacers vs Knicks player props for May 21
Jalen Brunson Under 7.5 1Q points (+100 at bet365)
Jalen Brunson is fifth in the playoffs with 28.8 points per game, but the majority of those points have come later in the game. The reigning Clutch Player of the Year has been at his best with the game on the line, particularly in the fourth quarter.
Brunson’s playoff scoring by quarter is reminiscent of a running back who picks up steam and runs over worn-down defenders as the game goes on:
- First quarter: 5.5
- Second quarter: 6.5
- Third quarter: 7.3
- Fourth quarter: 9.5
He’s the Derrick Henry of the NBA, and I expect a methodical grind rather than a hot start. He finished with at least eight first quarter points in only two of his 12 playoff appearances, and he failed to reach that mark in any of his three regular season tilts with Indiana. Bet the Under, which surprisingly comes in at even money.
Tyrese Haliburton double-double (+140 at bet365)
Tyrese Haliburton has failed to record a double-double in each of his last four games, but unlike a slot machine that’s been eating your twenties all night, he’s due for a hit.
Hali averaged 18.3 points and 11.8 dimes across his first six playoff games, but he’s averaged just 16.3 points and 5.5 dimes across his last four. Two of those games were blowouts, and in the other two games, he averaged 25 points and six dimes.
Haliburton racked up 17 double-doubles across his final 20 regular season games, and game script contributed to his lack of double-doubles in recent outings. I expect him to score and facilitate at a high level in this one, and I love the plus-money odds on this combo prop, which have gotten longer since opening at +130.
Mitchell Robinson Over 12.5 points & rebounds (-110 at bet365)
Mitchell Robinson has been a stellar contributor off the bench for the New York Knicks in the postseason, and I don’t expect that to change in Game 1 against the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers have their own stud backup big man in Thomas Bryant, and Robinson’s strong play will be needed off the bench to counter him.
MitchRob logged just 14 minutes in the Game 6 blowout, but in seven games prior, he averaged 5.9 points and 8.3 boards across 20.9 minutes. Robinson hit the Over on this line in four of those seven.
The Pacers’ defense offers a favorable matchup for Robinson. Indiana has allowed the third-most rebounds, fourth-most points and seventh-most paint points. Take the Over on this modest line.
Pacers vs Knicks betting resources
- Pacers vs. Knicks prediction
- Pacers vs. Knicks same-game parlay
- Pacers vs. Knicks series preview
- Jalen Brunson predictions & best bets
- Tyrese Haliburton predictions & best bets
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