Knicks vs Pacers predictions: See our expert picks for NBA Eastern Conference Finals
For the first time in 25 years, the Knicks are in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Tom Thibodeau's team is on quite on a run, beating the Detroit Pistons in five games and then the defending champion Boston Celtics in six to advance to become of the NBA's last four teams standing.
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The Knicks will now play the Indiana Pacers in the conference finals, which begin Wednesday, May 21 (8 p.m., TNT) at Madison Square Garden.
It'll be the second-straight year these teams have met in the playoffs – the Pacers beat the Knicks in seven games in the second round last season, but that Knicks team was banged up going into the series and it only became progressively worse.
This Knicks team is healthy, and perhaps more importantly, hungry.
After blowing out the Celtics Friday night at MSG, the celebration on the court and in the locker room was subdued – for a good reason.
Several players said the team has more to accomplish. Beating the Celtics was just a step.
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The Pacers, who went 50-32 during the regular season, beat the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round and then upset the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers in the second round.
It should be a fun series.
So can the Knicks keep this run going and make it to the Finals?
Feb 11, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin (1) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Here are our predictions:
Chris Iseman
Prediction: Knicks in 6
Here's why: The Pacers are a really good team, and they're deep. They wear teams down. That could be a problem for the Knicks since they're not exactly the deepest team. But their starters are used to playing a lot of minutes. And perhaps most importantly, the Knicks right now are playing at a high level defensively. If they can string full 48-minute performances together, the Knicks will be Finals-bound.
Bert Bainbridge
Prediction: Knicks in 7
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Here's why: What a redemption story this could be for the Knicks. After being up 2-0 and 3-2 in last year's second round matchup against the Pacers, New York couldn't close the deal and lost Game 7 at Madison Square Garden with star point guard Jalen Brunson leaving with a broken left hand. The last time the Knicks were in this position also happened to be against the Pacers -- notably led by Reggie Miller -- who won in six games a quarter century ago.
This time around, Brunson and Co. get their revenge, beating Indiana in Game 7 at MSG and leading the Knicks to their first NBA Finals appearance in 26 years.
Brian Marron
Prediction: Pacers in 6
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Here's why: As the playoffs drag on, the Pacers' depth becomes more of a strength. They can throw multiple defenders at Jalen Brunson, and guard him for the full length of the court for every minute he's out there. Indiana should be able to pester and wear down Brunson to allow its high-flying offense to score enough points to move on to the NBA Finals.
Dave Rivera
Prediction: Knicks in 7
Here's why: Who would've thought the Knicks would be at the doorstep of making it to the NBA Finals? Yet here they are after eliminating the defending champion Celtics. Now they have a chance to avenge last year's playoff loss to the Pacers when it looked like the Knicks had that series in hand. Expect every game to be a grind in this series, and in the end, Jalen Brunson carries his team to an epic Game 7 victory at the Garden.
Art Stapleton
Prediction: Knicks in 6
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Here's why: I think the Knicks will play a lot looser this series having knocked off the defending champions. Losing in Boston in Game 5 taught this team a lesson that should prove beneficial the rest of the way. What I liked most about the series-clinching win over the Celtics was the group effort. Sure, the focus will be on Jalen Brunson vs. Tyrese Haliburton, yet the key will be whether the unsung guys - Deuce McBride, Mitchell Robinson - can outplay Indiana's fantastic bench. I'm predicting they will.
Bob Jordan
Prediction: Knicks in 5
Here's why: Karl-Anthony Towns averaged 19.8 points and 12.7 rebounds a game against the Celtics but his Game 6 work was a thing of beauty. We don't often see that level from KAT over consecutive games, let alone an entire series, but if he's locked in through next week it will be a gentlemen's sweep.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Knicks vs Indiana Pacers predictions: Expert picks for Eastern Conference Finals
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