The New York Knicks will aim to tie their series against the Indiana Pacers in Game 2 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals this Friday night.

In the previous game, the Pacers pulled off an impressive comeback, winning 138-135 in overtime. With a current record of 50-32, the Pacers are attempting to reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 and have shown strength on the road, winning 5 of 6 postseason games away from home. Meanwhile, the Knicks, with a season record of 51-31, look to improve their home playoff performance, currently at 3-4 this postseason as they aim for their first Finals appearance since 1999.

The game is set to tip off at 8 PM ET from Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks are favored by 6 points, according to the latest odds from DraftKings Sportsbook. The total points over/under is set at 224.5, with New York’s moneyline at -249 and Indiana at +203.

Don’t forget to check out predictions from legendary handicapper Bruce Marshall, who boasts an impressive 56-27 record with his last 83 picks involving the Pacers.

Why the Knicks Can Cover

Point guard Jalen Brunson excelled in Game 1, scoring 43 points with five assists, averaging a notable 29.9 points and 7.5 assists in the postseason so far. He demonstrated his skills in a prior playoff game against the Boston Celtics, scoring 39 points and assisting 12 times.

Another key player for the Knicks, center Karl-Anthony Towns, delivered a strong performance with 35 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1. In his playoff appearances, he is averaging 20.9 points and 11.4 rebounds.

Why the Pacers Can Cover

The Pacers are led by Tyrese Haliburton, who was crucial in Game 1 with 31 points, 11 assists, and 4 rebounds, continuing to impress in postseason play with averages of 18.7 points and 9.5 assists over 11 games.

Adding to Indiana’s strength, power forward Pascal Siakam contributed significantly as well in Game 1 with 17 points and continues to be a reliable player in the series.

How to Make Pacers vs. Knicks Picks

Bruce Marshall will unveil another strong against-the-spread pick for this matchup, leaning towards the Over total. A pivotal X-factor could influence the spread, and Marshall advises viewing this crucial detail before placing bets.