Knicks vs. Pacers prediction, Game 2 odds, time, TV coverage: Best bet as New York tries to bounce back

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are meeting once again in the playoffs, and this time there is an NBA finals berth on the line. The New York-Indiana postseason rivalry is writing its newest chapter in the 2025 Eastern Conference finals, as one team will make the NBA Finals for the first time in at least a quarter century. The Pacers stole Game 1 with another shocking comeback in these playoffs, erasing a 14-point lead in the final three minutes on Wednesday for an overtime win. Game 2 is set for Friday night at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks are in the East finals for the first time since 2000 after knocking out the reigning champion Boston Celtics in the second round in six games. The Knicks also ousted the Detroit Pistons in six games in the first round, and Jalen Brunson has been phenomenal throughout the playoffs. Brunson is averaging 28.8 points in the 2025 postseason and has been great in the fourth quarter.

The Pacers got here by knocking out both the Milwaukee Bucks and Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. Indiana beat the Knicks in the second round last season to make the Eastern Conference finals, where they got swept by the Celtics. 

The Pacers have not been to the NBA Finals since 2000, when they beat the Knicks in the East finals to get there. The Knicks have not been to the NBA Finals since 1999 … and, of course, they beat the Pacers in the East finals to get there.

Below is the complete schedule for the Eastern Conference finals.

Eastern Conference finals schedule

All times Eastern

Game 1: Pacers 138, Knicks 135 (OT) — Indiana leads 1-0
Game 2: Friday, May 23 | Pacers vs. Knicks | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 3: Sunday, May 25 | Knicks vs. Pacers | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
Game 4: Tuesday, May 27 | Knicks vs. Pacers | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
*Game 5: Thursday, May 29 | Pacers vs. Knicks | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
*Game 6: Saturday, May 31 | Knicks vs. Pacers | 8 p.m., TNT/Max
*Game 7: Monday, June 2 | Pacers vs. Knicks | 8 p.m., TNT/Max

Knicks vs. Pacers odds

Odds via FanDuel

• Series odds: Pacers -168, Knicks +142
• Game 2 odds: Knicks -6, O/U 227.5

Knicks vs. Pacers: Game 2 best bet

New York’s starters went -16 in Game 1 and are -37 for the playoffs as a whole. Tom Thiobdeau says that “everything is always on the table” when it comes to lineup choices, and while new starters are likely too extreme a change this late in the season, it stands to reason that they’d mix up their lineups just a bit after Wednesday’s collapse. Mitchell Robinson’s health probably prevents him from playing more than the 20 or so minutes he’s getting per night now, but Deuce McBride probably needs to see more of the floor because of his defense. He’s been making shots all postseason, so if he can just get some more minutes, I’m expecting more offense out of him moving forward. The Pick: McBride Over 7.5 Points