The New York Knicks dominated the Indiana Pacers Thursday at Madison Square Garden. They did it with defense, limiting the Pacers to a series low 94 points. Although the Knicks scored 111 points the total was unable to cover the 222.5 points required. Benedict Mathurin was the Pacers leading scorer and rebounder, and with all respect to him, if the Pacers are going to win Mathurin can not be the leader of two crucial statistics.

Tyrese Haliburton put up an awful performance; 8 points, 6 assists, and just 2 rebounds on a night we projected him to have over 4.5. He played 31 minutes before Pacers Head Coach Rick Carlisle emptied his bench utilizing 13 players for game five. Will New York keep their amazing season going, or will the Pacers finish the series at home?

 

 

NBA Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 5/31

This could be the last game of the series, or it could extend one more game. One thing is for certain, this will be the last 2025 Eastern Conference Finals match in Indianapolis. All three NBA best bets today will come from this crucial game.

 

Pacers vs Knicks Prediction: Indiana Moneyline (-180 on Bet365 Sportsbook) *BET OF THE NIGHT 

The Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse for game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. The series is 3 - 2 in favor of the Pacers, and they have an opportunity to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time this century. They had their worst game of the series two days ago, and the expectation is for a team with championship aspirations, to play like a champion.

The spread is currently -3.5 in favor of Indiana and the moneyline is heavily juiced, but the moneyline for the Pacers is suggested. Both teams have shown the ability to win by double digit points, but most of the games have been relatively close. Indiana could blow this game out, but it could come down to the last seconds, or overtime, as has been the case for them in several games this postseason.

Indiana has not lost consecutive games in the 2025 playoffs, and this is the most amount of games they have played in a series this season. The Pacers have quietly been one of the best teams over the last three months. So much so that their last back to back losses came before the All-Star break. 

As it so happens those losses were to the Los Angeles Lakers and the second to the Knicks at home. Look for the Pacers to knock out the Knicks in front of their fans, and have the ability to celebrate something they have never experienced as a franchise. Celebrating a conference championship on their homecourt. Place this wager on Bet365 as a 20-point win ensures an early payout, and remember to take advantage of the promotional offer at the end of this article.

 

 

Pacers vs Knicks Prediction: Indiana -1.5 1st Quarter (-102 on BetMGM Sportsbook) 

Not only is the expectation for the Pacers to win the match, the expectation is also for them to win the first quarter. The spread is currently -1.5 in the first quarter and at almost even odds, and is the second best bet of today. Although the moneyline is at good odds, taking one more point is not much of a difference.

The Pacers have outscored the Knicks in just two first quarters of this series, but are expected to do it again in a crucial home game. They should be well rested as Siakam played the most minutes of any Indiana starter, and still was under 35 minutes of game time. Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Myles Turner all played under 30 minutes in game five, and will be ready to push the pace throughout game six.

Not only that, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin have played valuable minutes in this series. This allows Coach Carlisle to have trust that when his starters need a break, the play continues without a dip in production. This team runs through Haliburton and Siakam though, and those two must demonstrate the mental toughness and physical execution that is needed to close out a series.

After such an emotional win for the Knicks, look for the Pacers to score early and often back on their home court. Put a unit on this wager at BETMGM and for those new to the sports betting app, make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for up to $1,500.

 

 

Best NBA Prop Bets & Other Picks Today, 5/31

The last NBA best bet today is on a player that has risen to the occasion in every Pacers win of this series.

Pacers vs Knicks Prediction: Pascal Siakam Over 1.5 Threes Made (+146 on FanDuel Sportsbook) 

Pascal Siakam is the Pacers' only All-Star this season and he must play like a star in order for the Pacers to win. His point line has moved up to 21.5 over the last two games, and instead of taking the point line, data indicates taking a plus odds prop on his threes made is the wise move.

This bet is a correlation of the moneyline best bet, and the truth is in the data. The Pacers have won seven of eight 2025 playoff games in which Siakam makes two or more threes. He did it three times versus the Milwaukee Bucks, three times against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and if he does it tonight, it will be three times against the New York Knicks. 

In games in which he has made over 1.5 threes he has scored 21 or more points in all but one of them. But he did score under 21.5 in three of them, and that is where the risk lies in the point line. Despite a good night from behind the arc, Siakam does not earn that many free throw attempts. He has attempted 64 and made 42 which is a low 65.6% during the postseason. 

That averages out to under three free throws made per game, and puts most of the responsibility on his field goal attempts and percentage. Hence why the three point line at +146 is suggested. Siakam has attempted at least two three point field goals in all but two games of this postseason.

Look for him to score at all three levels, and be mentally dialed in tonight at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Put a unit on him covering the plus odds best bet at FanDuel Sportsbook and for new customers make sure to take advantage of Fantasy Alarm’s promotional offer for FREE bonus bets.

 

 

Get $150 in Bonus Bets Today At Bet365 Sportsbook When You Sign Up

Ready to jump into the action? New users can score a fantastic deal with Bet365 Sportsbook without even needing a Bet365 promo code. Sign up today, place a $5 wager, and instantly receive $150 in bonus bets—win or lose! It’s one of the best offers out there, giving you extra firepower to follow our NBA picks today.

Whether you’re fading or following our NBA best bets today, this promo reduces the risk and boosts your potential payout. Head to Bet365 now to claim your $150 in bonus bets and get in on the NBA excitement! With these NBA predictions and options in hand, you’re set for a profitable night.

Bet Smart, Be Lucky - Iggy

*All NBA odds accurate at time of writing and NBA best bets today to be placed at 1 unit unless specified otherwise