Back Pacers to start quick in crucial Game 6 vs. Knicks
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The Pacers face a home elimination game, while the Knicks attempt to close out the series and advance to their first Eastern Conference finals since 2000.
We have three bets to target for Friday's showdown.
Pacers first-half spread (-3)
The Pacers looked lethargic in Game 5, leading to a 30-point blowout. Friday's home elimination game will be a different story.
Indiana has dominated the first halves of this series. Other than Game 5, it has led at halftime in every contest.
The Pacers have outscored opponents by 25.7 points per 100 possessions at home in the first half, the best mark among all playoff teams. Meanwhile, the Knicks have been outscored by 15.1 points per 100 possessions in the first half on the road, the worst mark among postseason squads still alive.
I'm not convinced Indiana will win Game 6 as 5.5-point favorites, but it'll come out with energy at home after the beatdown it took in Game 5.
Odds: -112
Tyrese Haliburton: Over 20.5 points
Haliburton has tended to disappear in big moments. He'll talk trash and strut around the court with a big smile when he's aggressive offensively and things are going well for him. However, Haliburton's impact has been minimal at times throughout the playoffs.
Despite that critique, expect Haliburton to show out for Game 6. The All-Star guard doesn't like playing in hostile environments but thrives in comfortable ones. Luckily for him, Friday's contest is in Indiana.
Haliburton's averaging 15 points per game on the road during the playoffs and 22.8 points at home.
Odds: -105
Donte DiVincenzo: Over 16.5 points
DiVincenzo is 1-for-12 from three the past two games, a rare slump for one of the NBA's best 3-point shooters. Despite not scoring, he's been valuable defensively and draws attention as an assassin from long range.
Alec Burks has provided efficient offensive production off the bench, extending the Knicks' rotation and reducing DiVincenzo's minutes over the last two contests. After playing 44 minutes in each of the first three matchups, he played 32 and 30 minutes in Games 4 and 5, respectively.
DiVincenzo is too prolific from three to stay in a slump. Following excessive minutes to start the series, exhaustion could've impacted his shooting in the last two matchups. But the reduced workload in the previous two contests and an extra day of rest between Games 5 and 6 should eliminate any fatigue heading into Friday.
The Knicks need DiVincenzo to return to offensive form, and I expect he will in a series-clinching game.
Odds: -120
Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.