Knicks vs. Pacers Game 6 pick: NBA Eastern Conference finals prediction, odds, best bets
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information.
The 'Hicks versus Knicks' rivalry from the '90s was renewed the past two seasons, but this year's series has really delivered.
The Knicks are underdogs heading west to Indiana for a potential elimination Game 6, but not by much as you'd think.
DraftKings has the Knicks as 3.5-point underdogs on Saturday against the Pacers, who surely don't want to deal with a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Monday night.
The Knicks appear to have found a few advantages thanks to some surprising adjustments from coach Tom Thibodeau.
Thibodeau has begun expanding his lineups and giving more runway to the likes of Delon Wright and Landry Shamet, who have done an excellent job playing perimeter defense.
Shamet has the second-best defensive rating of any player in the conference finals (East or West) with a minimum of two total minutes played.
This has changed everything for the Knicks, as they've received legitimate contributions from bench players and that's helped lessen the burden on the starting lineup as games get tight down the stretch.
Earlier in this series, I detailed the Pacers' ability to wear the Knicks down and win fourth quarters based on their previous net rating numbers being the best among all playoff teams.
Well, those numbers have cratered against the Knicks. Indiana has a minus-8.3 net-rating and there's legitimate concern for the Pacers at this point.
Since Thibodeau brought in some of his deeper bench pieces and outscored the Pacers by 16 points in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Indiana is 0-2-1 in the fourth quarters of games.
Tyrese Haliburton drives past Mikal Bridges during the Pacers' Game 5 loss to the Knicks.
Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
It's on Rick Carlisle to make adjustments and figure this out, but there is indeed reason for optimism for New York.
The Knicks have played well on the road in the postseason, winning six of their eight games.
Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs
Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series.
I suspect that the Knicks' bench will still be outscored in this game, as it has been throughout the whole series, but the Knicks are in a good spot to get a win and force Game 7.
Back the Knicks to win Game 6 and see you at the World's Most Famous Arena on Monday.
Betting on the NBA?
If you have a ticket on the Pacers winning the series (+150) and the Pacers winning Game 1/series (+240), this could be a spot to hedge cheaply.
The best price on the Knicks winning the series is +290 at Caesars Sportsbook.
THE PLAY: Knicks moneyline (+150, Bet365)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he's showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Seen Courtside at the Knicks Game: The Anti-Summer Pant Trend That's Surprisingly Everywhere Right Now
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. For the fashion crowd who may not be tuned in, the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs are in full swing, with the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers battling for a spot in the finals—Indiana currently leads the series 3-2. On the court, the matchup between point guards Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton has been electric. Off the court, however, it's Kylie Jenner who's commanding attention, spotted courtside with boyfriend and Knicks superfan Timothée Chalamet in a series of leather pant looks. Traditionally considered a cold-weather staple, leather pants wouldn't be most people's first choice for spring dressing—but Jenner has made a strong case for their year-round appeal. At both games she attended, she's styled them with effortless ease: think a simple tank top or T-shirt, a baseball cap, and sleek kitten heels. The vibe? Sporty meets polished, with just the right dose of downtown edge. On Kylie Jenner: Gucci by Tom Ford leather pants; Dior by John Galliano bag; Chanel shoes; Jean Paul Gaultier jacket And she's not the only one cosigning the trend. Her sister Kendall Jenner was recently seen in her version of the look, pairing black leather pants with her now-viral, non-sheer white tank top (IYKYK) at a previous Knicks playoff game. The takeaway? Don't relegate your leather to the back of the closet just because the temps are rising. With the right styling—light layers, tonal palettes, and strategic accessories—leather pants can work through spring (and even summer). They've officially earned the It-girl stamp of approval for year-round wear. On Kylie Jenner: Tank Air Studio System Tank ($75); Blumarine pants; The Row Bare Sandals ($890) On Kendall Jenner: Rag & Bone Alex Leather Pants ($460); The Row sandals So if your wardrobe needs a refresh, now's the time to reimagine your leather lineup. Ahead, shop the chicest pairs on the market right now. Whether you're going to a basketball game or out for dinner, style these with a casual tank top, pointed-toe kitten heels, and a leather shoulder bag. View Deal A pair of straight-leg pants looks great with everything from ankle boots to slingback heels. View Deal Agolde's '90s Pinch Waist silhouette is a staple for every fashion person. View Deal You can't beat this price. View Deal I could totally see these on Kylie Jenner. View Deal Size up and wear these low-waisted. View Deal These are the number one best-selling leather pants on Revolve. View Deal
New York Post
33 minutes ago
- New York Post
Where each Knicks player stands heading into an offseason full of questions
A look at the Knicks roster heading into the offseason: Jalen Brunson Stats: 26.0 PPG, 7.3 APG, 2.9 RPG Advertisement Contract status: 2025-26: $34.9M; 2026-27: $37.7M; 2027-28: $40.5M; 2028-29: Player option for $43.3M. Skinny: Brunson has become an elite NBA guard, named the league's Clutch Player of the Year. The captain led the Knicks to the conference finals for the first time in 25 years, averaging 29.4 points and seven assists in the playoffs. Karl-Anthony Towns Stats: 24.4 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 3.1 APG Contract Status: 2025-26: $53.1M; 2026-27: $57M; 2027-28: Player option for $61M. Advertisement Skinny: Overall, his first season as a Knick was strong. Towns was an All-Star and an All-NBA third-team selection, adding a new offensive dimension to the team. The postseason showcased his defensive flaws, particularly against the ball-moving, up-tempo Pacers. 6 Karl-Anthony Towns dribbles during the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31. Charles Wenzelberg OG Anunoby Stats: 18.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 2.2 APG Advertisement Contract Status: 2025-26: $39.5M; 2026-27: $42.5M; 2027-28: $45.4M; 2028-29: Player option for $48.3M 6 OG Anunoby attempts a shot during the Knicks' Game 6 loss to the Pacers on May 31. Charles Wenzelberg Skinny: His defense on Pistons star Cade Cunningham was key in the first-round series victory, and he played a major role in ousting the defending champion Celtics in the second round. The two-way wing also notched a personal best in scoring during the regular season, although his shooting dipped in the playoffs. Mikal Bridges Stats: 17.6 PPG, 3.7 APG, 3.2 RPG Advertisement Contract status: 2025-26: $24.9M. 6 Mikal Bridges delivered with his defense during the Knicks' series against the Celtics. Charles Wenzelberg Skinny: His postseason was similar to his first regular season with the Knicks: Uneven. There were bright spots — like the two clutch stops in the first two games against the Celtics in the second round — but also too many instances when he didn't make enough of an impact. Josh Hart Stats: 13.6 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 5.9 APG Contract Status: 2025-26: $19.4M; 2026-27: $20.9M; 2027-28: Team option for $22.3M. Follow The Post's coverage of the Knicks in the 2025 NBA Playoffs Sports+ subscribers: Sign up for Inside the Knicks to get daily newsletter coverage and join Expert Take for insider texts about the series. Skinny: A shaky series against the Pacers shouldn't diminish his year. The gutty Hart set career highs in rebounds, assists, steals and minutes, and was instrumental in the series upset of the Celtics, averaging 14.5 rebounds, 8.3 rebounds and 4.5 assists. Miles McBride Stats: 9.5 PPG, 2.9 APG, 2.5 RPG Advertisement Contract status: 2025-26: $4.3M; 2026-27: $3.9M Skinny: He found his shot in the playoffs and led the Knicks in NET rating at plus-4.3. Owed just over $8M the next two years, McBride is a bargain. Mitchell Robinson Stats: 5.1 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.1 BPG Advertisement Contract status: 2025-26: $12.9M Skinny: A difference-maker in the playoffs after appearing in only 17 regular-season games following ankle surgery, Robinson was a key piece in the postseason. His 17.2 playoff offensive rebounding percentage was tops among players in the league who saw rotation minutes. Cam Payne Stats: 6.9 PPG, 2.8 APG, 1.4 RPG Contract status: Unrestricted free agent Advertisement 6 Cam Payne eventually lost his spot in the rotation during the Knicks' series against the Pacers. Charles Wenzelberg Skinny: The veteran guard was a playoff disappointment other than his impactful opener against the Pistons. He eventually lost his spot in the rotation to Delon Wright in the Pacers series, and was mostly underwhelming during the regular season. Landry Shamet Stats: 5.7 PPG, 1.2 RPG, 0.5 APG Contract status: Unrestricted free agent Advertisement Skinny: Benched for most of the postseason, Shamet made an impact when given a chance against the Pacers. Was a capable bench piece during the regular season. Delon Wright Stats: 4.3 PPG, 2.1 APG, 1.4 RPG Contract status: Unrestricted free agent 6 Delon Wright capitalized on his Knicks chance after earning a rotation spot late in the postseason. Charles Wenzelberg Skinny: Picked up in the Jericho Sims trade in February, Wright was a nonfactor until the Pacers series, when he was given a chance to contribute. He answered the call, giving the Knicks quality minutes behind Brunson. Precious Achiuwa Stats: 6.6 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.0 APG Contract status: Unrestricted free agent 6 Precious Achiuwa defends during Game 3 of the Knicks' series against the Celtics on May 10. Charles Wenzelberg Skinny: Well-liked and versatile reserve who had a role during large parts of the 51-win regular season, but fell out of the rotation in the playoffs. Could look elsewhere for a bigger opportunity. Tyler Kolek Stats: 2.0 PPG, 1.7 APG, 0.7 RPG Contract status: 2025-26: $2.1M; 2026-27: 2.2M; 2027-28: Team option for $2.4M Skinny: Second-round pick out of Marquette mostly watched and learned as a rookie. Uncertain if the Knicks believe he's ready to serve as Brunson's backup next season. Kevin McCullar Jr. Contract status: Restricted free agent. Skinny: Didn't make his G-League debut until Jan. 31 due to knee surgery, and the second-round pick appeared in just four games with the Knicks. Ariel Hukporti Stats: 1.9 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.6 BPG Contract status: 2025-26: Team option for $1.9M. Skinny: The athletic big man has shown glimpses of potential when given a chance. Pacome Dadiet Contract status: 2025-26: $2.8M; 2026-27: Team option for $2.9M; 2027-28: Team option for $5.3M. Skinny: First-round pick from France put up quality numbers in the G-League (14.9 points, 5.4 rebounds) during a rookie season that didn't include much action with the Knicks. P.J. Tucker Stats: 3.0 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 0.3 BPG Contract status: 2025-26: Team option for $3.4M. Skinny: Teammates credited the 40-year-old Tucker, signed in March, for his leadership and knowledge he shared during the playoff run to the conference finals.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Fever's Caitlin Clark shows up to support Pacers in Game 6 vs. Knicks
The post Fever's Caitlin Clark shows up to support Pacers in Game 6 vs. Knicks appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Indiana Pacers entered Game 6 of their Eastern Conference finals series against the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse looking to book a ticket to the 2025 NBA Finals. They have great support in the building from the thousands of fans in attendance cheering for them to finish off Jalen Brunson and company. And among those watching the game in person is none other than Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark, who came to the game along with teammates Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull. Clark has always cheered for the Pacers, who are a win away from eliminating the Knicks and joining the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2025 NBA Finals. The Thunder have already booked their spot in the grandest stage of the playoffs by taking care of business in the Western Conference finals through only five games versus the Minnesota Timberwolves. Advertisement Caitlin Clark also has time to be present at the Pacers game since Indiana doesn't have a game on Saturday night. She is also nursing a left quad injury that has sidelined her for two straight games. The former Iowa Hawkeyes star guard is also not expected to see action anytime soon, as she's projected to miss multiple weeks. The Fever have clearly already felt her absence, as they have gone 0-2 without Caitlin Clark in the 2025 WNBA season, having lost to the Washington Mystics on the road last Wednesday and to the Connecticut Sun at home on Friday. In four games played so far in 2025, Clark has averaged 19.0 points, 9.3 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks while shooting 40.3 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from behind the arc. At one point in the contest, Clark even did the Jalen Brunson celly after a 3-pointer by Tyrese Haliburton. Fans react to Caitlin Clark's presence in Knicks-Pacers Game 6 Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images Clark surely attracted plenty of attention from fans online, as she watched the Knicks and Pacers go at it in Game 6 of the conference finals. Advertisement 'Pacers are undefeated when CC is in the building. 🫡 Knicks,' shared a fan. 'Future MVP Caitlin Clark 👀,' another online commenter said. 'Love to see the squad supporting the Pacers! That's true team spirit right there. 🔥🏀,' posted a social media user on X (formerly Twitter). Via a different commenter: 'It looks like a family picture where all the Aunties and Uncles are in a good mood😂.' '@Pacerslet's get the ladies in their choice of Pacers yellow for the Finals home games,' one said. 'Best ladies 💯,' chimed in a fan.
