The Indiana Pacers stunned the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals thanks to some late-game heroics from Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith, evaporating an eight-point lead with 40 seconds to go.
The Knicks can bounce back if they focus, but the Pacers have a ton of confidence heading into this matchup, and I’ve found a must-bet Pacers vs. Knicks same-game parlay that plays on both.
Check out my NBA picks for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, set to tip off at Madison Square Garden at 8:00 pm ET on Friday, May 23.
Pacers vs Knicks SGP - May 23
Aaron Nesmith Over 2.5 threes
Karl-Anthony Towns 13+ rebounds
Mitchell Robinson Over 6.5 rebounds
The Indiana Pacers shot the lights out at Madison Square Garden in Game 1. Before Aaron Nesmith and Co. went off in the final few minutes, they started the game with a bang, hitting their first nine shots from the floor.
Indiana ended the game shooting 51% from the field and 41% from 3-point range, with Nesmith going an unconscious 8-of-9 from beyond the arc.
The New York Knicks need to change up the way they are defending, or Nesmith could make it rain in Game 2 as well. Mikal Bridges was busy trying to contain Tyrese Haliburton, while OG Anunoby had his hands full with Pascal Siakam.
Shifting OG onto Nesmith could work, but until that happens, the Pacers sharpshooter, who shot 43.1% from three, will continue to let it fly. Take him to go Over 2.5 threes in Game 2.
If the Knicks want to respond in Game 2, they’ll need to continue to lean on their advantage on the glass. It was clear New York could out-physical Indiana on the boards out out-rebounding them 46-39, particularly with Karl-Anthony Towns and Mitchell Robinson off the bench.
Rebounding has been an issue for the Pacers throughout the season, and it has continued in the playoffs. Indiana ranks 13th in rebounding rate and opponent rebounds per game during the playoffs.
Now, part of that is due to the Pacers’ high pace of play and taking a lot of shots, but the Kincks are doing their part here. KAT hauled down 12 rebounds in Game 1, while Mitchell Robinson was a beast in 20 minutes of action, grabbing eight.
The Pacers likely don’t shoot it as well as they did in Game 1, which means there could be even more rebounds up for grabs tonight, and I like both Knicks bigs to make their mark on the glass. Give me KAT on his alt rebounding total of 13+ and Robinson to go Over his rebounding total set at 6.5.
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