The conference round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with one standalone matchup on Thursday night, as Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Knicks and Pacers takes center stage at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT.
Our staff of basketball betting experts dug into the latest odds and identified 5 NBA picks for tonight's contest. Continue below for our NBA best bets and predictions for Thursday, May 29.
NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Thursday, May 29
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Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NBA Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Pacers vs. Knicks
By Joe Dellera
The Knicks are down 3-1 in the series, but it hasn’t been for a lack of Brunson offense.
Brunson has consistently scored against Indiana with 43, 36, 23, and 31 points, and the one down-game he was constantly in foul trouble.
We aren’t 100% sure about KAT’s health, but even if he plays there is always the chance he’s a bit limited.
This would open up even more usage and scoring for Brunson.
Additionally, this is a win or Cancun game for the Knicks.
I expect max minutes from Brunson in Game 5 tonight, which may help align him with the non-Nesmith minutes, the one player who has lessened Brunson’s scoring impact at all this series.
If that means more minutes where his defensive matchup is Nembhard or Sheppard, Brunson is going to cook.
I’ll back Jalen in this do-or-die Game 5.
Pick: Jalen Brunson Over 29.5 Points (-120)
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Pacers vs. Knicks
By Alex Hinton
It is hard to play a game more perfectly than Tyrese Haliburton did on Tuesday night. The All-Star point guard went for 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 15 assists with zero turnovers. It was his second career triple-double in the postseason.
In the process, he soared over this line with 27 rebounds + assists. He cleared this line with just his assists, which is what he is known for. Haliburton is averaging 9.8 assists per game in the playoffs. He has had at least seven assists in 11 of 14 games this postseason.
However, he has been sneaky on the glass as well. He is averaging 5.9 rebounds per game in the playoffs and seven per game in this series. He has had at least four rebounds in eight of his last 10 games.
Altogether, Haliburton is averaging 15.7 RA this postseason and 18 in this series.
I don’t expect another triple-double tonight, but he has cleared this line in three of the first four games in this series, and I expect that trend to continue tonight.
Pick: Tyrese Haliburton Over 14.5 Rebounds + Assists (-140)
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Pacers vs. Knicks
The Knicks are on the brink of elimination as they return home to take on the Pacers.
Despite being down 3-1 in the series, home teams laying 4.5 points or more in Game 5 are 24-8 (75%) straight up and 19-13 (59.4%) against the spread.
Therefore, if you like the Knicks, it makes sense to target their players when scanning the props market.
One Knickerbocker who could be on the cusp of a decent performance is Mikal Bridges. The New York small forward tends to be at his best when playing in front of the home crowd.
Bridges averaged 19.6 points and 3.3 rebounds at home compared to 15.6 points and 3.0 boards on the road.
He has a points + rebounds prop of 20.5 — a number he has covered in four straight home games and six of his last seven.
For whatever reason, Bridges seems to be more engaged at home, given his 13 rebounds in the two games at Madison Square Garden.
Rebounding requires a tremendous amount of effort and desire, and the numbers suggest that Bridges receives some extra motivation from home fans.
Look for him to have a productive night in Game 5, as the Knicks try to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Pick: Mikal Bridges Over 20.5 Points + Rebounds (-136)
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Pacers vs. Knicks
After the Pacers won Game 4, the Knicks opened up as 5.5-point favorites for Game 5 down 3-1 back at home.
