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?
The New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of an Eastern Conference finals series that has already been one of the major talking points of the ongoing NBA playoffs.
The Knicks seemed to be rolling to a Game 1 victory Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden. New York held a 17-point lead at one time during the fourth quarter, and with the seconds ticking away, a few long possessions or a defensive stop or two seemed to be all that was left to ice a win.
Instead, the Pacers mounted a legendary comeback, with Tyrese Haliburton and Aaron Nesmith leading the way. Indiana made up a nine-point gap in the final 52 seconds of regulation, eventually claiming a 138-135 victory in overtime.
The stunning outcome has supercharged what was already looking like an exciting series.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ coverage from Madison Square Garden for Game 2 between the Knicks and the Pacers:
NEW YORK — Indiana picked up where it left off in Game 1, firing on all cylinders, with Pascal Siakam scoring 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting. The Pacers shot out to an early 10-point lead, thanks to 61% shooting as the Knicks defense let the Pacers do their work in the paint. New York’s first 11 points came from OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson. Josh Hart got into early foul trouble, with two fouls in the first seven minutes. The Knicks went on a 10-0 run to tie the score at 19. Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton went scoreless in 10 minutes of action and the Pacers went nearly six minutes without a field goal to end the quarter.
What time is Pacers vs. Knicks?
Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks is set to start at 8 p.m. ET.
Seven-time major winning tennis star John McEnroe stopped by TNT’s “Inside the NBA” pregame show to promote the upcoming French Open, which will be broadcast on TNT for the first time, starting Sunday.
McEnroe never won the French Open, but finished as a runner-up to Ivan Lendl in 1984. He predicted Ben Shelton and Francis Tiafoe are the Americans with the best shot at winning at Roland Garros this year.
Like Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and Kenny Smith, McEnroe turned to broadcasting after his career.
“I didn’t know that I was going to be great (on television). In fact, it was the last last thing I wanted to do. At the end of my career, I was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m going to be a commentator. That’s really pathetic.’ I got an opportunity and got some good advice, be yourself.”
Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors forward who has a history of earning technical fouls for his outbursts on the court, asked McEnroe for advice on how to control his emotions. McEnroe jokingly replied, “The last person you want to talk to is me. It’s hopeless for either one of us.” — Cydney Henderson
Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic lead the 15-member All-NBA team announced Friday.
Joining them on the first team were Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell.
Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic were unanimous selections from the media panel, as they were last season. Tatum and Antetokounmpo also were unanimous picks.
A panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the squad. The selections are positionless, and each player must have played 65 games in order to be eligible for postseason awards, including the All-NBA team. The voting occurs before the playoffs. See which 15 players made the All-NBA team here.
elite company 🔥
Tyrese Haliburton joins Reggie Miller, Jermaine O’Neal and Paul George as the only players in our franchise history to be named to multiple All-NBA teams. pic.twitter.com/P7Fp90Co2y
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 23, 2025
Many people believe that the debate over who is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the NBA has been settled, with Michael Jordan widely regarded as the top player. While David Falk, Jordan’s longtime agent, agrees that MJ deserves this title, he also shared his thoughts on where LeBron James fits into the conversation.
Falk, who has represented NBA legends such as Jordan, Allen Iverson and Patrick Ewing, shared his insights and advice for aspiring sports industry executives regarding the ever-evolving NBA landscape. He spoke at the Sports Business Journal 4SE conference in Manhattan on May 20. Read where he thinks LeBron ranks here. ‒ Elizabeth Flores
With the NBA draft lottery (hello, Dallas Mavericks) and draft combine over, teams and prospects now turn their attention to pro days and mostly private workouts where even more impressions are made.
Those impressions lead to decisions at the June 25-26 NBA draft. Maybe it makes the difference between getting selected 16th or 13th. See how USA TODAY Sports’ reporters Jeff Zillgitt, Lorenzo Reyes and James Williams predict the draft here.
Indiana’s 138-135 Game 1 overtime victory against New York on Wednesday averaged 6.6 million viewers, making the game the most-watched Eastern Conference final Game 1 since 2018, according to TNT. Viewership peaked at 8.5 million viewers at 11 p.m. ET – right around the time the Pacers made their stunning comeback. The game also won the night in primetime, per TNT, which is a huge victory for the network and the league. — Jeff Zillgitt
Who will show up to Madison Square Garden for Game 2 on Friday? We got you covered. USA TODAY Sports is tracking all the stars in attendance of the arena’s highly-coveted “celebrity row.”
Pacers vs. Knicks predictions: Expert picks for Game 2USA TODAY: Knicks to win Game 2
The USA TODAY staff picks for Game 2 are nearly unanimous, with the Knicks claiming a 6-1 edge.
Scooby Axson: KnicksCydney Henderson: KnicksLorenzo Reyes: KnicksJordan Mendoza: KnicksHeather Tucker: KnicksJames WIlliams: KnicksJeff Zillgitt: PacersDimers: Knicks 116, Pacers 111
Dimers’ simulations have given the Knicks a 70% chance of winning Game 2, with a five-point margin the most likely outcome.
Covers.com: Knicks even the series
Jason Logan writes: “There are several alternate realities in which the Knicks held on to that late lead and won Game 1. It just wasn’t ours. Books have New York installed as 5.5-point favorites for Game 2, and while Indiana is always live, a series split seems more probable considering the Knicks played well for 47 minutes before coming undone on Wednesday. New York wins Game 2.”
ClutchPoints: Pacers 108, Knicks 103
Using the NBA 2K25 video game to simulate Game 2, Massimo Marchiano has the Pacers claiming a five-point win.
Pacers vs. Knicks odds
The New York Knicks are favored to win Game 2, according to BetMGM.
Odds as of Thursday, May 22.
Spread: Knicks (-5.5)Moneyline: Knicks (-235), Nuggets (+190)Over/under: 226.5Pacers vs. Knicks series predictions: Expert picks
Before Game 1, USA TODAY Sports experts made predictions for the Eastern Conference finals winner:
Pacers vs. Knicks series winnerJeff Zillgitt: Pacers in sixLorenzo Reyes: Knicks in sevenHeather Tucker: Knicks in sevenJames Williams: Knicks in sixJordan Mendoza: Knicks in sevenScooby Axson: Knicks in sevenCydney Henderson: Knicks in sixHow to watch Pacers vs. Knicks: TV, streamTime: 8 p.m. ETLocation: Madison Square GardenTV: TNT, truTVStream: Sling TV, Fubo, YouTube TV
Watch Pacers vs. Knicks Game 2 on Fubo
(Pacers lead series 1-0)
Game 1: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT)Game 2: Pacers at KnicksGame 3, May 25: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.Game 4, May 27: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.Game 5, May 29: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.*Game 6, May 31: Knicks at Pacers | TNT, 8 p.m.*Game 7, June 2: Pacers at Knicks | TNT, 8 p.m.*
All times Eastern; *-if necessary