play

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?

Everything was in place for the Knicks to take a 1-0 series lead over the Pacers in the Eastern Conference finals.

Jalen Brunson had a playoff-high 43 points and New Jersey native Karl-Anthony Towns was a dominant force all night long as he poured in a postseason-best 35 points and 12 rebounds.

Instead, the Knicks did the unthinkable and blew a late-game fourth-quarter lead and fell, 138-135, in overtime at a stunned Madison Square Garden.

With 2:50 left in regulation, the Knicks had a 119-105 lead, a scenario in which NBA teams were 970-0 in postseason history when leading by 14 or more points with slightly under three minutes remaining. That number is now 970-1 following the Pacers’ improbable, dramatic Game 1 come-from-behind victory.

Can Brunson and the Knicks bounce back in Game 2 at home? Or will Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers steal the first two games on the road and head back to Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indiana with a commanding 2-0 series lead?

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Knicks-Pacers Game 2, including how to watch, the series schedule, how the odds have shifted after a crazy Game 1 and more:

What time is Knicks vs Pacers Game 2 of Eastern Conference finals?Date: Friday, May 23Time: 8 p.m.

The Knicks and Pacers best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals continues with Game 2 at MSG with tip-off shortly after 8 p.m. on Friday.

What channel is Knicks vs Pacers Game 2 on Friday?

Watch Knicks vs Pacers Game 2 live on Sling

Knicks vs Pacers Eastern Conference finals schedule

Best-of-seven; Game 5-7 if necessary.

Game 1: Wednesday, May 21: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT) (Pacers lead 1-0)

Game 2: Friday, May 23: Pacers at Knicks, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 3: Sunday, May 25: Knicks at Pacers, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 4: Tuesday, May 27: Knicks at Pacers, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 5: Thursday, May 29*: Pacers at Knicks, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 6: Saturday, May 31*: Knicks at Pacers, 8 p.m., TNT

Game 7: Monday, June 2*: Pacers at Knicks, 8 p.m., TNT

*-if necessary

Knicks vs Pacers Game 2 odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 23

Spread: Knicks -5.5 (-110), Pacers +5.5 (-110)

Total: Over 226.5 points (-115), Under 224.5 points (-105)

Moneyline: Knicks (-235), Pacers (+190)

Knicks vs Pacers Eastern Conference finals series odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 23

Pacers: -170 (Bet $170 to win $100)

Knicks: +140 (Bet $100 to win $140)

Odds to win 2024-25 NBA championship

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday, May 23

Oklahoma City Thunder: -220

Indiana Pacers: 5/1 (+500)

New York Knicks: 8/1 (+800)

Minnesota Timberwolves: +850