Knicks vs. Pacers prediction: Odds, betting advice, players prop bets for Game 6 on Friday, May 17 | Sporting News

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The Knicks-Pacers series has been must-see TV. Tonight will be no different when New York tries to eliminate Indiana in a massive Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).

The Pacers have gone 5-0 at home this postseason, but just 1-5 on the road. They’re officially in must-win territory now, after the Knicks won Game 5 at Madison Square Garden in commanding 121-91 fashion. 

Let’s get to the top BetMGM value bets for Game 6 of Pacers vs. Knicks, including the best moneyline, spread, over/under and player prop wagers.

Best NBA playoff odds and picks: Top ATS pick

Pacers -1.5 (1Q) vs. Knicks (-115)

The Pacers have won the first quarter by an average of 12.6 points in each of their last three home playoff games. Now their backs are against the wall after getting out-coached, out-hustled, and downright outplayed at Madison Square Garden. It’s time to put up or go fishin’. 

Ultimately, Indiana will likely go fishin’. But this should at least start as a pretty good game. The Fieldhouse crowd will be rocking, and Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam should (hopefully) work on being more aggressive with the ball in their hands. 

The Pacers have averaged an NBA-best 32.5 points per first quarter since the start of the 2023-24 season, and 31.7 points per first quarter over the past three games. New York, meanwhile, has averaged 28.5 points per first frame on the campaign and just 24.0 per first over its past three contests. Bet on Indy setting the pace tonight.

FIRST QUARTER PREDICTION: Pacers 28, Knicks 25 — Indiana wins the first frame (-165) and covers the -1.5 spread (-115), while the combined first-quarter score finishes UNDER the projected total of 55.5 (-110).

Best NBA playoff odds and picks: Top moneyline bet

Knicks (+180) at Pacers

Sorry for getting your hopes up with the ATS pick, Pacers fans — it’s just hard to see New York squandering the opportunity to end this series right here and now. Indiana should get out to a strong start, but over the course of four quarters the Knicks should once again prevail. 

The top-seeded Celtics just closed out their series with the Cavaliers, meaning they will already have a rest advantage over whichever Eastern Conference Finals opponent they draw. With Jalen Brunson and the Knicks as banged up as a New York team has ever been in the playoffs, they won’t want to face Boston after a seven-game series with the scrappy Pacers.

Game 5 seemed to be all about who wanted it more. New York was scrapping, crashing the boards, swatting away larger players near the hoop and pushing tempo. The Knicks turned the highest-scoring and most confident offense in the Association into a bunch of dudes afraid to shoot the ball. Expect Tom Thibodeau’s squad to prevail over Rick Carlisle’s guys this evening, cementing Knicks-Celtics in the ECF.

FINAL SCORE PREDICTION: Knicks 111, Pacers 104 — New York wins outright (+180) while the final score goes just UNDER the projected total of 215.5 (-105).

Best NBA playoff odds and picks: Top over/under bet

Knicks 1Q team total UNDER 27.5 at Pacers (-140)

As mentioned, the Pacers have continued to start games strong in the postseason — they just don’t always sustain offensive consistency and they certainly haven’t remained aggressive through four frames against these Knicks. In the first quarter of this one, Indy should win the hustle game and hold New York to a modest quarter for the third-straight time at the Fieldhouse.

The Knicks scored 14 and 20, respectively, in the first quarters of Games 3 and 4 in Indy. Betting on them to score UNDER 28 points in the first frame of Game 6 — with Indiana scratching and clawing to stay alive — seems like a pretty high-value game prop.

FIRST QUARTER PREDICTION: Pacers 28, Knicks 25 — Indiana wins the first frame (-165) and covers the -1.5 spread (-115), while holding the Knicks UNDER 27.5 points on the alternate first-quarter total market (-140). 

Best NBA playoff odds and picks: Top player prop bets

Donte DiVincenzo blocks: OVER 0.5 (-135)

Look out, NBA world — Donte DiVincenzo has messed around and become an enforcer! The feisty Delaware native has recorded at least one block in three straight games, always making sure to flex on the Pacers after getting the better of them.

DiVincenzo even got into an altercation with the much-bigger Myles Turner, perhaps trying to change his nickname from the Big Ragu to Muscles Marinara.

Whatever has gotten into the veteran shooting guard, Tom Thibodeau must love the passion he’s bringing on both ends of the floor. Look for DD’s surprisingly-potent shot-blocking to continue as the Knicks emphatically close out the Pacers on their own floor. 

NBA playoff bets and spreads tonight: Full odds board

All odds courtesy of BetMGM, an authorized gaming operator of the NBA.

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