Knicks to rebound with win over Pacers in Game 2 of Eastern Conference Finals

• What: NBA Picks
• Who: Indiana Pacers at New York Knicks
• When: Friday, May 23, 8:00 p.m.

Tyrese Haliburton nailed a prayer shot at the buzzer to complete a stunning 15-point comeback before his Pacers finished the job in overtime, defeating New York 138-135 in Game 1.

Can Jalen Brunson and the Knicks rebound from their devastating loss on Friday night? Let's look at the latest betting lines for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Odds are subject to change.

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Knicks vs Pacers Betting Trends

New York is a 5.5-point favorite at Madison Square Garden, where they are under .500 (3-4) in the postseason. Tom Thibodeau's club is 30-19 at MSG in the regular season and playoffs combined. They have a 22-19-1 record against the spread as a home favorite.

Indiana has now won its past five road contests. That includes a Game 4 win in Milwaukee in the first round, sweeping all three road games in Cleveland in round two, and stealing Game 1 against the Knicks. The Pacers are 16-11 straight up as an away underdog this year, and 17-10 against the spread.

The over/under for Friday's game is set at 227 points. The total was boosted 3 points higher than Game 1 after the two squads combined for 273 points in Wednesday's opener. The OVER is 25-23 in New York home dates, and 26-19-2 in Pacers road contests.

WHAT A SHOT BY TYRESE HALIBURTON 🤯🤯🤯 https://t.co/8wEwdkeRwZ pic.twitter.com/s497GwRWi9

— NBA (@NBA) May 22, 2025

Cue the comeback

Aaron Nesmith drained six 3s in the final five minutes and the Knicks coughed up a 14 point lead with under 3 minutes to play. At the buzzer, Tyrese Haliburton launched a turnaround jumper that bounced high off the rim and hung in the air before falling through the basket.

Thinking it was a three-point shot, the Pacers star emulated the famous choke sign that Reggie Miller gave the Knicks in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals. “If I knew it was a 2, I would not have done it," Haliburton said after the game. "I might have wasted it.”

Despite the premature celebration by Haliburton, who finished with 31 points and 11 assists, Indiana came through in overtime. It was their third improbable fourth-quarter comeback of the postseason.

Knicks fall apart

Jalen Brunson scored a game-high 43 points and Karl-Anthony Towns had 35 points and 12 rebounds in the series opener. Mikal Bridges added 16 points, 6 boards and 5 assists. OG Anunoby ed 16 points, 3 steals and 3 blocks. And Josh Hart finished with 8 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists.

The only problem is all of those Knicks played over 38 minutes, and Tom Thibodeau's short rotation tired down the stretch.

Clubs leading by at least 14 points in the final 2:45 of the fourth quarter had been 994-0 since 1997-98.

“We can’t sulk!” Jalen Brunson @nyknicks pic.twitter.com/CggUz6pZr5

— Bruce Beck (@BruceBeck4NY) May 22, 2025

New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers Game 2 NBA Picks

Indiana will take a stranglehold of the Eastern Conference Finals if they can win their sixth-straight road game this postseason. However, this series seems destined to go the distance. We like Jalen Brunson and the Knicks to shake off their heartbreak and even the series on Friday night.

Take New York to cover (-5.5) at home in Game 2 with the UNDER (227).