2025 NBA Playoffs: Pacers at Knicks ECF Game 5 SGP | Prediction, Picks and Props

It’s about time I exorcised these Eastern Conference Finals demons. After struggling in the ECF, I hit my third straight same game parlay in the WCF as the Oklahoma City Thunder eliminated the Minnesota Timberwolves last night. Now, as the New York Knicks look to avoid Minnesota’s fate of being bounced in five by the Indiana Pacers, it’s time for MSG to show up and shout out. 

Let’s roll.

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Player Props: Knicks | Pacers

Packers vs Knicks Game Info & Where to Watch

• Date: Thursday, May 29
• Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
• Location: Madison Square Garden in New York, NY
• Spread: Knicks (-4)
• Moneyline: Pacers (+150) | Knicks (-178)
• Total: 223.5
• TV: TNT, truTV
• Stream: Max, Sling, DirecTV, Fubo

Leg 1: Knicks Moneyline (-178)

I’ve been on the New York Knicks most of this series, and more often than not, they have let me down. That said, Game 4 was the first time in this series that it felt like they were the worst team on the floor through almost every stretch. Other than for a quick fleeting few moments, it never felt that they could push the Pacers off, regaining their lead. 

I expect experience to trump youth and the Pacers’ road play to come back to earth in Game 5. Indiana is a super young team with limited playoff experience, while the Knicks are loaded with prideful vets who need to defend their home turf. While the Pacers are two away victories shy of the NBA playoff road win streak, they were only five games over .500 on the road in the regular season. Indiana also dropped its only game at MSG before these playoffs.

I expect Tom Thibodeau to go against his grain and be open to exploring his bench in a must-win game. This one should be close, so hopefully Thibs manages minutes and guys in four trouble in a way where they are most effective in the final quarter. 

This series goes at least six games.

NYK vs IND Odds & Predictions, Free Picks, Prop Bets Today & Injury Updates

Leg 2: OG Anunoby Over 16.5 Points (-130)

The Knicks again need OG Anunoby to be aggressive on offense, taking some of the scoring pressure off of Jalen Brunson and what looks to be a banged-up Karl-Anthony Towns. Anunoby had his highest scoring game of the series on Tuesday with 22 points, but was woeful from deep, shooting just 14.3%, a far cry from his 37.2% regular season mark. The good news is he looked much more assertive, taking the most shots he has in this series, while getting to the line a personal 2025 playoffs high nine times.

OG looked good against the Pacers in the regular season, averaging 19.5 PPG on 58% shooting in two matchups. We’re in business if he can stay aggressive while bringing his regular-season efficiency to Game 5.   

Other things that are working in Anunoby’s favor are Indiana’s inconsistency defending wing players and the home court. The Pacers ranked 17th, giving up 23.8 PPG and around the middle of the pack, allowing 3.4 threes per 48 minutes to shooting guards in the regular season. The former Toronto Raptor saw an uptick playing at home this season, putting up 18.6 PPG compared to 17.4 PPG on the road.

A player with Anunoby’s playoff pedigree should have a productive must-win game at the Garden.

Leg 3: Tyrese Haliburton Under 22.5 Points (-162)

Tyrese Haliburton is coming off the playoff game of his life. The talented Pacers guard became the first player since the NBA started tracking turnovers to log a 30-point, 15-assist, 10-rebound triple-double without coughing up the ball once. The 32 points were Haliburton’s high in these playoffs and not typical of his offensive showing against the Knicks.

The former Sacramento King averaged 17.0 PPG against New York in the regular season, including a zero-point dud at MSG back in October. In that game, Haliburton went 0-8 from the field and missed all seven of his threes. While being kept off the scoresheet is undoubtedly not the norm for Haliburton, being held around 20 points is. 

During the regular season, Tyrese averaged 18.6 PPG and has seen an uptick to 19.4 PPG in these playoffs. He is generally a pass-first player, and after some defensive adjustments, New York will undoubtedly be keying on him behind the arc.

New York defended point guards well in the regular season, ranking ninth in defensive efficiency and fifth in threes made (2.8) per 48 minutes. 

Teasing up from the 20.5 points prop makes sense for some extra security in the final leg of this SGP. 

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3-Leg SGP Payout: +347

• Knicks Moneyline (-178)
• OG Anunoby Over 16.5 Points (-130)
• Tyrese Haliburton Under 22.5 Points (-162)