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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?

Once again, the chances were there for the Knicks.

Already down 1-0 in the series, the Knicks had the opportunity again to right their wrongs after a disastrous Game 1 loss.

However, just as they did in Game 1, the Knicks faltered, as they head to Indiana down 2-0 to the Pacers following a 114-109 loss in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

There’s no beating around the bush. Game 3 is a must-win for the Knicks to avoid going down 0-3.

The question is: will the Knicks finally be able to finish the job and get back in this series?

Here are the betting odds, our analysis and prediction for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Here’s our betting preview and analysis on the spread, total and moneyline prediction for Game 3 between Knicks and Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals:

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, May 25:

NY Knicks vs. Pacers spread: Knicks +2.5 (-115), Pacers -2.5 (-105)

For the first time this series, the Pacers are the odds-on-favorites and deservingly so after winning outright in Games 1 and 2 at Madison Square Garden.

Given the close results of both games, it’s not a surprise that oddsmakers only have this currently as a 2.5-point spread.

Some would likely think the Pacers should be more than a 2.5-point home favorite given their relentless and ability to close out games in this series and throughout the playoffs.

With that being said, I’m taking the points with the Knicks here.

I stated before the series started that the Knicks were going to take this in seven games and if that’s the case that starts here with a Game 3 win on the road and covering the small spread as a road underdog.

Prediction: Knicks +2.5 (-115)

NY Knicks vs. Pacers total: Over 223.5 points (-110), Under 223.5 points (-110)

After both the Knicks and Pacers but on an offensive onslaught in Game 1, it wasn’t a total surprise to see Game 2 start with a different tone where there were 30 fewer points scored in the first half (101) compared to the first 24 minutes of game action in Game 1 (131 total points).

Despite a higher scoring final 24 minutes, the total went just under the closing line with 223 total points scored.

What gives me hope here is how high scoring the matchups have been for the Pacers on their home court this postseason.

In five playoff games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, there’s been 230 or more points scored four times, including each of the last four contests on the Pacers home court.

Between likely better shooting performances on both sides and the recent trend of high-scoring affairs in Indiana this postseason, I’m betting we see yet another game where the offenses are the storyline and we get another high total that clears this line in Game 3.

Prediction: Over 223.5 points (-110)

NY Knicks vs. Pacers moneyline: Knicks +115 (Bet $100 to win $115), Pacers -140 (Bet $140 to win $100)

There’s no doubt most will now believe this series is over after the Pacers stole both Games 1 and 2 at MSG and hold a 2-0 advantage.

But you don’t have to look back too far back to the Knicks in a similar position last year, going up 2-0 at home before dropping both games in Indiana and ultimately losing to the Pacers in seven games.

Yes, last year the Knicks and Pacers each won their respective home games through the first six games until Indiana came out on top against a short-handed Knicks team in Game 7 at the World’s Most Famous Arena.

That doesn’t mean that will happen again this year as we’ve seen with the job the Pacers did at closing out on the road through the first two games of this series.

The Pacers have been incredibly impressive in the clutch and will be a tough out no matter what game it is this series. With that being said, I believe the Knicks just find a way to keep their chances at winning this series alive by continuing the trend of each road team being victorious through the first three games.

It’ll be a similar pace to Game 2, but ultimately it’s the Knicks who get the job done with a victory in Game 3 with a chance to tie the series come Tuesday night in Indiana for Game 4.

Prediction: Knicks 118, Pacers 112