NBA Best Bets Today, 5/31: Picks, Predictions & Player Props - NBA Playoffs
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.
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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
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Dominick Barlow accumulated eight points (3-of-5 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds and one assist in Thursday’s loss to the Spurs.
Signed to a two-way contract on Wednesday, Barlow started his unofficial 76ers debut on Thursday. He only played 14 minutes against the Spurs but had a solid night shooting the basketball, and the rebounding production was also good. When healthy, the 76ers will have a frontcourt rotation that Barlow may have difficulty cracking. There isn’t a need to plan for selecting him in fantasy drafts, even if Joel Embiid is not cleared in time for training camp.
Justin Edwards shot 2-of-6 from the field in Thursday’s loss to the Spurs, scoring six points with one rebound and two three-pointers.
Between Salt Lake City and Las Vegas, Edwards has played in four games this summer. Unfortunately, he’s only put together one solid offensive performance. The second-year wing shot 2-of-5 from beyond the arc on Thursday and did not offer much value elsewhere. If Philadelphia’s top wings are healthy, Edwards’ role will likely be limited next season. However, with his play late last season, the 76ers likely hoped for a more dominant Edwards this summer.
Adem Bona accounted for six points (3-of-6 FGs), five rebounds, one steal and two blocked shots in Thursday’s loss to the Spurs.
On a forgettable night for the 76ers, who lost by a 111-70 final score, Bona was solid as a rebounder and shot-blocker in his 17 minutes on the court. These games in Las Vegas are unlikely to change things for the second-year player once training camp begins, as he’ll compete with Andre Drummond and Johni Broome for backup center minutes. And whoever wins that competition will only have fantasy relevance if the 76ers are without starter Joel Embiid.
Carter Bryant amassed five points (1-of-6 FGs, 2-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal, three blocks and one three-pointer in Thursday’s win over the 76ers.
Bryant struggled with his shot on Thursday, but that did not keep the rookie from providing value in other ways. The first-round pick recorded four “stocks,” and his on-court communication on both ends of the floor should be overlooked despite not showing up on the box score. The hope is that fellow first-round pick Dylan Harper can play on Saturday after missing time with a groin injury. If he can go, San Antonio will have their first glimpse of Harper and Bryant on the court together.
David Jones-Garcia finished Thursday’s win over the 76ers with 24 points (9-of-12 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), five rebounds, three assists, four steals and four three-pointers.
Well, if there’s a good place to be when you catch the “hot hand,” Las Vegas is it. Jones-Garcia shot 75 percent from the field on Thursday, continuing to play well after earning All-California Classic team honors at the beginning of the week. And revenge may have been on Jones-Garcia’s mind for Thursday’s 111-70 victory, as he began his professional career with the 76ers on a two-way deal before being waived in January 2024. Jones-Garcia’s play this summer may be enough to earn him another two-way opportunity if he can continue on this path.
E.J. Liddell recorded 12 points (4-of-10 FGs, 3-of-4 FTs), 11 rebounds and one three-pointer in Thursday’s loss to the Bucks.
Having struggled with injuries throughout his professional career, Liddell is playing with the Nuggets in hopes of earning another opportunity. He played well on Thursday, as his dunk with just over five seconds remaining gave Denver a two-point lead. Unfortunately for Liddell, he ended up on the wrong end of the game’s final shot, with Jamaree Bouyea hitting a three over the forward’s outstretched hand as time expired. Liddell is not a fantasy target regardless of league size, but his goal is to grab a team’s attention and earn a contract.