Pacers vs. Knicks Game 5 Prediction: Eastern Conference Finals

The Indiana Pacers can secure their second NBA Finals appearance when they travel to face the New York Knicks at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday at Madison Square Garden on TNT.

Indiana grabbed a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference finals with Tuesday’s 130-121 home victory. The only other time the Pacers won the East came in 2000 when they defeated the Knicks in six games before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in six.

Here’s a look at the latest NBA odds for Pacers vs. Knicks and my prediction ahead of Thursday’s Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals:

Pacers vs. Knicks Odds: Game 5

• Pacers spread: +4.5
• Knicks spread: -4.5
• Total: 222.5

Pacers vs. Knicks Game 5 Prediction

Based on the updated NBA betting lines, I’m taking under 3.5 3-pointers (-135) for Indiana point guard Tyrese Haliburton as my Game 5 prediction for the Pacers vs. Knicks matchup in the Eastern Conference finals.

Haliburton was magnificent in Game 4. He notched his second career playoff triple-double, finishing with 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds. He went 11-for-23 from the floor, including 5-of-12 from long range.

It marked Haliburton’s best shooting performance from long range in this series. He connected on five total triples between Games 2 and 3.

I expect the Knicks to stave off elimination for at least one night, but that’s more of a lean than anything else. They won’t be able to do that without slowing down Haliburton, who prefers to set up his teammates than look for his own shot.

The line on this under is worth scooping up at -150 or better.

Game 5 prediction: Tyrese Haliburton under 3.5 3-pointers (-135)