The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks are set to tip off Game 1 of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday, May 21, at Madison Square Garden. The game begins at 8:05 p.m. ET, with pre-game coverage starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. TNT and TruTV will broadcast the event in the U.S., while Max will stream it live. Canadian fans can catch the action on TSN.
This high-stakes matchup kicks off a rematch between two teams with plenty of postseason history. Although New York defeated Indiana in their lone regular-season matchup at home (123–98), the Pacers had the upper hand in last year’s playoffs, eliminating the Knicks in a decisive Game 7 at MSG. In that game, Indiana’s starting five all scored at least 17 points, led by Tyrese Haliburton’s 26, and that same starting lineup remains intact for the 2025 postseason.
The Knicks, seeking their first NBA Finals appearance since 1999, come into Game 1 as 4.5-point favorites. They’re 3-3 at home so far in the playoffs, including a hard-fought series win over the Celtics in Round 2. However, Boston was dealing with major injuries—most notably to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown—which tempered their performance.
Meanwhile, Indiana has thrived on the road this postseason, going 3-1 away from home. That stretch included a 3-0 sweep on the road against the Cavaliers in the second round. Their only road slip-up came in Game 2 against Milwaukee in the opening round.
For those betting on the game, the total points line varies across sportsbooks, ranging from 222.5 to 224. Bettors looking to take the over should consider DraftKings, which offers the lowest total at 222.5. Historical trends support a high-scoring affair—last year’s matchup between these teams saw an average of 226.6 total points per game, with Games 1 and 2 smashing the over.
In terms of Game 1 player props, Jalen Brunson leads all projected scorers with an over/under of 28.5 points. Karl-Anthony Towns follows at 22.5 for New York. For Indiana, Pascal Siakam and Tyrese Haliburton are both listed at 18.5 points. Towns also tops the boards with a rebound total of 11.5.
Although the point spread is uniformly set at 4.5, moneyline and totals markets offer more variation. FanDuel has the best odds for Indiana to win outright at +164, while DraftKings provides the most favorable odds on New York at -180.
With contrasting strengths—Indiana’s road dominance and New York’s hunger for a Finals return—Game 1 sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling series.
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- Source: SCCGManagement.com