Pacers Poised to Close Out Knicks: What’s at Stake in Game 5?
Here we are, and the Indiana Pacers are just one win away from knocking the New York Knicks out of the playoffs. The Pacers don’t just have a 3-1 edge—they’ve taken control with an eye-popping six straight road wins. That turnaround is wild, especially considering they dropped their first away playoff game this year. Momentum? The Pacers have it, and the Knicks know all about it.
Game 5 isn’t just another night at Madison Square Garden. It’s a total battleground for New York. Under Tom Thibodeau, the Knicks have faced elimination scenarios three times before. This time, though, the stakes feel heavier, partly thanks to Indiana’s ability to exploit every soft spot in the Knicks’ defense. The pressure is intense. Over the past week, SportsLine’s advanced model ran this matchup 10,000 times, digging up some betting gems if you know where to look. The experts—they’re riding hot streaks. Bruce Marshall comes in with a strong 140-110-2 NBA pick record, while Jason La Canfora’s 106-79-1 ATS track record speaks for itself. Both are focused on spreads, totals, and those enticing same-game parlays that fans adore.
Key Matchups, Betting Trends, and Player Prop Picks
Want to talk about reliable players? Tyrese Haliburton’s been the Pacers’ steady hand all through this run. His playmaking changes the entire offense, and his stat lines have pushed many bettors into the green over this series. When you’re considering props or fantasy lineups, he’s the first guy worth circling. The Pacers have been quick to adapt, especially when it comes to poking holes in the Knicks’ defensive setup. Missed rotations and mismatches? Indiana made them pay—again and again.
If you’re eyeing player props, look closer at Karl-Anthony Towns—yes, he features in expert picks with '20+ points and 10+ rebounds' as a tempting line. It’s been a popular angle in this postseason, as he’s carried a big load on both ends of the court. The experts also break down specific bets worth considering:
- Pacers against the spread, given their ironclad confidence on the road
- Over/Under plays centering on both teams’ dynamic guards, with Haliburton at the heart of Indiana’s offense
- Same-game parlays mixing individual stats with game outcomes for beefed-up payouts
Bettors love these options because the Pacers’ approach is so clear. Fast pace, crisp ball movement, and feeding whoever gets the hot hand. The Knicks, meanwhile, have struggled to keep up as injuries deplete their depth, making it tough to keep up with Indiana’s evolving strategy.
Right now, the spotlight’s on the Pacers’ player props edge, which could tip both the betting and the real-world result in their favor. Every fan, bettor, and analyst is watching to see if New York rallies or if Indiana rides its ruthless road game mastery into the finals. If you’re tuning in for Game 5, strap in—because it’s far from your average playoff night in the NBA.