The Eastern Conference Finals will continue this Saturday following the New York Knicks’ decisive 111-94 win in Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers, which extended the series further. The Pacers now have a chance to clinch their spot in the NBA Finals on their home court in Game 6.
Heading into Indiana, the Knicks carried momentum from their Game 5 victory at home, exhibiting control throughout the match. The Pacers still lead the series 3-2 and have the opportunity to finish the series in Game 6. Although it’s not an elimination game for Indiana, there’s an expectation that they will put in their best effort to close out the series before their fans.
In the previous game, the Pacers’ starters struggled, with players like Tyrese Haliburton only scoring eight points, Andrew Nembhard tallying six, and Myles Turner also contributing six points. Pascal Siakam was the only starter to score in double digits with 15 points over 34 minutes. On defense, the Knicks played with urgency, knowing their season was at stake. It feels like a “win or go home” mentality will be present again in Game 6.
The Pacers have a strong postseason record at home in the first quarter, being 6-1 to cover the first-quarter spread, with losses mostly against Cleveland in a critical Game 3. Teams that perform poorly one game often start strong in the next, as exemplified by the Pacers’ rebound in Game 4 after their Game 3 loss. The Knicks have also struggled to cover first-quarter spreads in the playoffs, having only done so in seven out of 22 games.
A solid bet would be to back the Pacers leading by at least one point after the first quarter with a -1 spread. Additionally, Tyrese Haliburton, who underperformed in Game 5 with eight points, six assists, and two rebounds, is expected to rebound. Since he’s not shooting much, his overall contributions often reflect a combination of points, rebounds, and assists. With the game at home and the team likely to shoot better, Haliburton should have more opportunities to contribute assists.
A recommended wager is to bet on Haliburton to exceed 14.5 combined rebounds and assists at -110 odds. This bet banks on his impact beyond just scoring, which could be pivotal in a high-stakes Game 6.
Geoff Schwartz, a Fox Sports NFL analyst with eight seasons of NFL experience, provides these insights. Follow him on Twitter @Geoffschwartz.
Fan Take: This matchup is more than just a series—it’s a battle that could define the futures of both franchises in the playoffs. For basketball fans, seeing key players like Haliburton step up and teams show resilience under pressure highlights the drama and unpredictability that make postseason basketball thrilling to watch.
