Knicks finish off Celtics, will face Pacers in ECF
The New York Knicks were able to get past the Celtics and will now face the Pacers for a shot at making it to the NBA Finals.
Sports Pulse
The No. 1 seed New York Knicks and No. 4 seed Indiana Pacers play in the Eastern Conference Finals of the 2025 NBA playoffs.
Who will win the series and advance to the NBA Finals?
Check out these NBA postseason picks and predictions for the series.
The Knicks are -155 to win the series in NBA playoffs odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook. The Pacers are +130.
The Knicks winning in seven games is at +350 in odds for the outcome of the series. New York is at +450 to win in five games, +500 to win in six games and +900 to win in four games.
The Pacers are +500 to beat the Knicks in six games, +600 to win in seven games, +950 to win in five games and +1800 to sweep New York.
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NBA.com: Pacers will beat Knicks in six games
Steve Aschburner writes: “The Knicks haven’t been to the Finals since 1999 and haven’t won one in 52 years. Indiana only went once, losing to the Shaq-Kobe Lakers in 2000. One of these teams is going to hit the refresh button on championship opportunity. The Pacers’ deep roster and their taste of this round last spring (they got swept by the Celtics) could be enough to swing this. Remember, playing more guys means more places to spread the fouls around, too, when the action gets physical. One thing that should not matter: home-court advantage. The Knicks hold the extra game by virtue of winning one game more than Indiana during the season. But both teams are stellar on the road. New York was 24-17, including 17-9 vs. East foes, and is 5-1 through two rounds so far. Indiana went 19-9 from Dec. 6 and finished 4-1 playing in Milwaukee and Cleveland during these playoffs.”
Sports Illustrated: Bet Knicks to beat Pacers in seven games in Eastern Conference Finals
Peter Dewey writes: “Ultimately, I think Brunson is the difference in this series. Not only has he been the best clutch player in the NBA this season, but Indiana doesn’t have a great matchup for him across the board. The Knicks, unlike last season, now have multiple defenders they can throw at Tyrese Haliburton, and they’ll actually have Robinson in the lineup against Indiana. With the Knicks holding home court, I think they win this series, but it’s going to be a long battle.”
The Oklahoman: Knicks will defeat Pacers in seven games
Justin Martinez writes: “Jalen Brunson is averaging 28.8 points per game this postseason despite being guarded by elite defenders such as Jrue Holiday and Ausar Thompson. He’ll now face Indiana, which doesn’t have a strong point-of-attack defender of its own. I’m expecting Brunson to come up big in this series, and New York’s wealth of high-level defenders will slow down a dangerous Indiana offense. Knicks in seven.”
SNY: Bet the Knicks to win series vs Pacers in six games
David Vertsberger writes: “New York has a chance to secure this series on the glass, and should look to moreMitchell Robinsonminutes to do so. They also need Bridges and Anunoby to maintain their confidence in attacking the rim and smaller mismatches, as they can poke holes in this Pacers defense. In a postseason full of things people thought the Knicks couldn’t do, it feels odd saying they should win this series and advance to the NBA Finals. The Pacers are no pushovers, and will put up a hard fought series, but the Knicks have the talent and coaching to trump them.”
Odds Shark: Knicks will advance past Pacers in seven games
Chris Walder writes: “Having four days off between rounds will benefit the Knicks immensely, even though the Pacers will have had more than a week off to recover having not played since May 13. Health is such a crucial component here, as New York was banged up and broken down in 2024, yet still took Indiana to the limit before crashing out in Game 7. The added incentive of not wanting to repeat history of course helps, and the Knicks’ shorter rotation could actually benefit them here if the Pacers’ backups are going to continue being a focal point. A home-court advantage didn’t do them much good the last go around, but it could make all of the difference in the world for a series finale with New York still trying to end its 51-year championship drought.”
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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