Knicks vs Pacers Series Betting Preview: ECF Odds & 5 Best Bets
John Canady
Host · Writer
The Indiana Pacers are set for an Eastern Conference Finals showdown against the New York Knicks. Not many people expected these two squads to be the teams to fight their way to the end of the gauntlet in the East, but now each team is four wins away from punching their ticket to the NBA Finals. For Indiana, they’re competing for the chance to win the first championship in franchise history. Meanwhile, the Knicks return to the ECF for the first time in 25 years and now have the opportunity to return to the main stage.
Let’s dive into this anticipated series and discuss the best series bets that could help you come out on the winning side.
Pacers vs Knicks Series Odds
Odds to Win Series: Knicks -146 | Pacers +124
Please be aware that betting odds may change after the publication of this article.
Pacers to Win +124
The Pacers have entered every season as the underdog, yet they remain standing. Entering this matchup, the trend continues for Indiana to be against the odds heading into battle. However, with their fast-paced offense, Indiana will be a tough out for any team, especially in the playoffs, where fatigue and wear and tear will take a toll on each side. While New York will arguably have the upper hand in starting lineups, that limited rotation can only get them so far against a team as deep as the Pacers. The Knicks entered their second-round series with limited rest and now head into this ECF series with more of the same. I expect this series to be a back-and-forth battle in each game, but in the end, I feel like the Pacers will get the best of New York.
Series Total Games: 6 Games +220
With the Pacers predicted to win this matchup, it’s only fair to say how many games this series will go. New York has the home court advantage, but the Pacers easily have the talent to potentially steal a game from the Knicks in Madison Square Garden. However, the Knicks could head into Indiana and steal a game back. Nonetheless, I like the odds that the Pacers’ experience from last postseason and the first two rounds will help them get out of this series in six games.
Number of Games to Reach Overtime: 1+ Games to Go to Overtime +410
Both teams have already experienced an overtime matchup throughout their playoff journey. Indiana and the Knicks both came out on top in their OT battles. Considering this series is expected to be a high-scoring battle, it won’t be a shock to see at least one of these games be settled in overtime, especially with the expectation for this series to be back-and-forth battles in each game.
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Series Most Total Made Threes: Jalen Brunson +210
Jalen Brunson has been the driving force for the Knicks throughout this playoff run, averaging 28.8 points per game while shooting 44% from the field and 36.3% from beyond the arc. Although the Knicks star is a crafty scorer who doesn’t have to rely on his shot from three, that doesn’t restrict him from averaging 7.6 attempts per game. Brunson shoots at an efficient rate, and for New York to keep pace with an Indiana team that ranked among the top of the league in points per game, Brunson will be expected to carry the weight of the offense. That said, the idea of the Villanova product finishing the series with the most made threes seems realistic.
Jalen Brunson & Karl Anthony-Towns to Combine for 45+ points in Every Game +380
The Knicks duo of Brunson and Karl Anthony-Towns has been huge for New York this season, and their success only carried over to the playoffs. When Brunson needs a spell from taking over the scoring load, Towns can relieve the guard and allow the Knicks to run their offensive sets through him courtesy of his versatility as a stretch big, whose facilitating ability may be one of the most underrated parts of his game. Between Brunson’s average of 28.8 points throughout the postseason and KAT averaging 19.8 points per game, I like the chance that between these two stars, they can combine for 45+ points in each game against a Pacers team that isn’t exactly known for their defense.
NBA Eastern Conference Finals MVP: Tyrese Haliburton +170
Tyrese Haliburton takes pride in doing whatever it takes to win each game. In some battles, the Iowa State product is forced to become more of a scoring threat, while in others, he can manipulate a defense with his playmaking abilities. Haliburton is averaging 17.5 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds in the postseason, and he’s shown the ability to elevate his game in big-time moments, including multiple game-winning plays in the first two rounds. If he continues that type of play against the Knicks, he could end this series as the Eastern Conference Finals MVP if the Pacers come out on top.
