NBA Finals predictions: Are the Thunder and Knicks locks for the NBA Finals?
The For The Hoops crew make their picks for the NBA Finals. The Thunder vs. Knicks seem to be a popular pick, but are we counting the Timberwolves and Pacers out too early?
Simply put, the Knicks should’ve unequivocally won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.
New York had every opportunity to close out the Indiana Pacers and didn’t.
Instead, it’s the Pacers with a 1-0 series after a thrilling, late-game come-from-behind victory to beat the Knicks, 138-135, in overtime at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.
Now desperately needing a win, can the Knicks bounce back, avoiding an 0-2 hole and tying the series versus the Pacers before the series shifts to Indiana for Games 3 and 4?
Here’s our betting preview and analysis on the spread, total and moneyline prediction for Game 2 between Knicks and Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals:
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 23
NY Knicks vs. Pacers spread: Knicks -5.5 (-105), Pacers +5.5 (-115)
Perhaps the lock of the night was the Knicks to cover as 4.5-point home favorites in Game 1.
New York was up the entire fourth quarter and even held a nine-point lead with under a minute remaining before blowing the advantage and the Pacers forced overtime, which ended any chance of the Knicks covering.
So now comes the question: what’s the right side for Game 2?
Yes, there’s a chance that we see a similar result from Game 1 but the Knicks are able to close out without any issues this time instead of the late-game collapse that took place on Wednesday.
However, given how battle tested and resilient this Pacers team is right now, it’s hard not to take the points with them this time after their bounce back effort in Game 1.
Prediction:Â Knicks +5.5 (-105)
NY Knicks vs. Pacers total: Over 226.5 points (-110), Under 226.5 points (-110)
One thing I was certain of in Game 1 was the over.
These two organizations have been in plenty of high-scoring affairs and it was no different to start this series.
Both teams shot better than 50 percent from the field and at least 32 percent from three-point range to begin this series.
The over 222.5 points was essentially a lock after there were 131 combined points scored in the first half. An additional 119 points were scored as the total went over well before the extra five-minute frame was needed.
Similar to the spread, until these two teams consistently put together better defensive performances, I’m all in on the over here in Game 2 even if it’s four points higher than the closing line from Wednesday night.
Anticipate there being more of the same come Friday evening at MSG.
Prediction: Over 226.5 points (-110)
NY Knicks vs. Pacers moneyline: Knicks -235 (Bet $235 to win $100), Pacers +190 (Bet $100 to win $190)
Despite the nightmare ending to Game 1, the Knicks are even bigger favorites heading into Game 2.
Sportsbooks see a bounce back opportunity here for New York before this series moves to Hoosier State this holiday weekend.
Do I have more concerns now heading into this game than I did prior to Game 1? Absolutely given how the Knicks failed to close out in the fourth quarter and overtime.
As I predicted before this series started, I anticipated this matchup being a seven game series for a second consecutive postseason after the Pacers upset the Knicks in the second round last season.
In order for that to happen, the Knicks can’t go down 0-2 heading into Games 3 and 4 in Indiana.
In another close and back-and-forth contest, the Knicks are able to hold on, as the Pacers cover the 4.5-point spread as road underdogs with New York coming out with a narrow victory to tie this series going into Game 3.
Prediction: Knicks 119, Pacers 115