The New York Knicks made a resounding statement in their latest playoff encounter against the Indiana Pacers, dominating Game 5 with a 121-90 victory to take a 3-2 series lead. This significant win was largely fuelled by Jalen Brunson’s outstanding performance, which helped the Knicks regain momentum in the series after consecutive losses.
With the series shifting back to Indiana for the next game, the Pacers find themselves in a must-win situation to avoid elimination. Playing on their home court, they will be looking to leverage the home crowd’s energy and make strategic adjustments to counter the Knicks.
Bet on Knicks vs. Pacers GM 6
NYK +6.5
IND -6.5
The upcoming game promises to be a critical test of resilience for both teams. For the Knicks, maintaining the level of performance demonstrated in the last game could secure their advancement to the next round in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the Pacers must harness their strengths and make necessary adjustments to extend the series and keep their playoff hopes alive to force a Game 7.
Let’s look at the best betting odds available for this upcoming matchup.
Knicks vs. Pacers best odds
| Knicks Moneyline Odds | +195 @ NorthStar Bets |
| Pacers Moneyline Odds | -205 @ Caesars |
| Over/Under | Over 215 points (-105) @ Pinnacle Under 216 points (-110) @ Caesars |
| Spread | Pacers -5.5 (-104) @ Pinnacle Knicks +6.5 (-114) @ NorthStar Bets |
| Time/Date | May 17, 8:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Broadcast: TSN4 Stream: NBA League Pass (How to watch the NBA in Canada?) |
Betting New York Knicks (7-4 SU, 6-5 ATS, 6-5 o/u)
Brunson’s exceptional performance in scoring 44 points alongside seven assists was instrumental in reigniting the Knicks’ momentum, leading them to a critical victory. His ability to step up when needed most underscores his importance as a key player for the Knicks, particularly in high-pressure situations. Josh Hart also made significant contributions with a strong double-double, scoring 18 points and pulling down 11 rebounds. His effort on both ends of the floor provided the Knicks with much-needed stability and additional scoring.
Miles McBride’s emergence in the starting lineup also proved vital, with him scoring 17 points. Additionally, Alec Burks provided a spark off the bench with 18 points. Isaiah Hartenstein’s impressive work on the offensive boards, where he secured 12 offensive rebounds, contributed significantly to the Knicks’ control of the game. His total of 17 rebounds and five assists also highlighted his all-around game and the impact he can have beyond scoring.
Overall, this collective team effort not only led to a win but also positioned the Knicks favourably with a 3-2 series lead. The performance reflected a well-rounded team dynamic, where multiple players stepped up to contribute, showcasing the depth and resilience of the team.
Betting Indiana Pacers (6-5 SU, 5-6 ATS, 6-5 o/u)
Facing elimination after a tough loss in Game 5, the Pacers are under significant pressure as they return home for Game 6. Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, and Tyrese Haliburton, who led the team in the previous game, will indeed need to elevate their performances to keep their playoff aspirations alive.
Siakam’s contribution of 22 points and eight rebounds shows he can be effective, but moving forward, the Pacers will need even more from him, both in scoring and on the boards. Siakam’s ability to dominate inside and stretch the floor will be crucial against a tough Knicks defence.
Myles Turner contributed 16 points and five rebounds in Game 5. Turner’s ability to alter shots and provide secondary scoring will be vital.
Tyrese Haliburton, while contributing 13 points and five assists, will need to take on a more aggressive role in orchestrating the offence. His vision and playmaking are key to setting the tempo and creating opportunities for his teammates. Increasing his scoring output and assist numbers will be essential to spark the Pacers’ offence.
For the Pacers to force a Game 7, this trio not only needs to perform exceptionally, but also inspire the rest of the team to rise to the occasion. The energy at home should provide a boost, and as they have won two games at home already, they have a chance to extend the series. As they prepare for this do-or-die matchup, the cohesion, intensity, and execution on both ends of the floor will determine their fate.
Tyrese Haliburton over 24.5 points + rebounds
-120
Knicks vs. Pacers injury concerns
- Julius Randle (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season.
- Bojan Bogdanovic (foot) has been ruled out for the season.
- Bennedict Mathurin (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season.
NBA betting trends
- New York is 6-2 ATS in its last eight road games.
- Indiana is 5-0 SU in its last five home games.
- The last three games between these two teams have played under the total.
NBA player prop trends
- Haliburton has recorded under 8.5 assists in four of his last five games in the series. His line is at +105 to record under 8.5 assists against the Knicks.
- Jalen Brunson recorded under 2.5 threes in four of his last five games in the series. His line is at -145 to record under 2.5 threes against the Pacers.
- Isaiah Hartenstein has recorded over 3.5 assists in four of his last five games in the playoffs. In the one game he fell short, he played just 22 minutes due to a blowout. His line is at -165 to record over 3.5 assists against the Pacers.
Knicks vs. Pacers predictions
- Haliburton over 24.5 points + rebounds: -120 (Sports Interaction). Haliburton has cleared this line in three of the last four games. With the Pacers in a must-win situation, expect him to be aggressive and score as he did in Games 2 and 3, when he went for over 30 points in both.
- Over 215 total points: -105 (Pinnacle). This is the lowest posted total of the series to this point and it’s a reasonable expectation that a high-scoring game could occur, especially in a high-stakes scenario like an elimination game.
