The conference round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with one standalone matchup on Tuesday night, as Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and Knicks 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 Tuesday, May 27.
NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Tuesday, May 27
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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. | ||
Knicks vs. Pacers
By Joe Dellera
Karl-Anthony Towns had one of the best finishes to a game in his career last game, putting this Knicks team on his back and carrying them to their first victory of the series.
He got his shots up and continues to get strong looks from beyond the arc.
I’m drinking some juice here, but KAT has 2+ three-pointers in 7 straight matchups against Indiana, going 4/8, 2/5, and 3/7 against them this series.
He’s getting his opportunities from deep and he’s continually firing over smaller defenders or whenever their bigs go under screens.
Pick: Karl-Anthony Towns Over 1.5 Three-Pointers Made (-135)
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Knicks vs. Pacers
This isn't just because of the bounce-back spot, though that doesn't hurt. But this is about projecting Rick Carlisle countering Tom Thibodeau's counters.
The Knicks finally went nine deep last game — even if by force due to foul trouble — and played a Pacers like rotation in terms of minutes distribution. And you could argue that Indy road their bench too long during the Knicks run in the second half.
Carlisle has been the best coach at making adjustments this postseason.
So, this bet is about coaching, the bounce-back spot, Indiana refocusing after playing non-Pacers basketball in the second half (more isolation, less ball movement, etc), and a bet that they wont shoot 20% from three-point range again.
Pick: Pacers First Half Spread -1.5 (-115)
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Knicks vs. Pacers
The rebounding props for Indiana's main guys are slowly ticking down, but Siakam is still at 6.5 at most books. The -145 is getting pricey, but it's still playable. I don't mind fading Myles Turner again either, but his line is down to 5.5.
Indiana had an interesting rebounding box score in Game 3. Aaron Nesmith led the way with 7 rebounds, then 8 different Pacers followed with 3-4 boards.
It was a remarkably balanced output and mirrors what we've seen in the series. Indiana has 8 players averaging 3+ rebounds and 7 players averaging 8+ rebound chances.
Siakam ranks 4th on the team with 4.7 rebounds per game and 2nd with 11 rebound chances per game. The weak conversion rate speaks to New York's dominance on the glass.
The joint rebounding effort makes sense given the matchup. Indiana is giving up plenty of size to New York, especially with Mitchell Robinson playing a bigger role.
New York has an elite 53% rebounding rate in the series. With Robinson on the floor, that number has jumped up to a massive 55%.
For context, Houston led the league in rebounding rate during the regular season at 53.3%. No other team was above 52%.
I wouldn't expect any Pacer to grab 7+ boards with this current approach and the difficult matchup. Siakam will need to run hot on limited opportunities to exceed this line.
Pick: Pascal Siakam Under 6.5 Rebounds (-145)
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Knicks vs. Pacers
I am back on the Knicks again in Game 4 tonight.
I backed New York in Game 1, and lost on the crazy ending. I backed the Pacers in Game 2, and then backed the Knicks in Game 3.
