The New York Knicks find themselves in a precarious position as they face the Indiana Pacers, who lead the series 3-1. The upcoming Game 5 will take place at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks are favored by five points.

With boasts like “Our series bread is buttered with Pacers stock”, the stakes are high, particularly with the Pacers showing resilience as underdogs throughout the postseason.

“The Pacers have more players, more versatility,” stated a seasoned professional bettor. “It might not be fair to this current Knicks group, but the [Tom] Thibodeau factor is real. His teams always burn out, especially his old teams back in Chicago.” This sentiment resonates as playoff fatigue becomes a legitimate concern for New York.

For those betting on the Knicks’ recovery, notable payouts are available, with odds around +442 at Pinnacle and +450 at DraftKings if they can pull off three consecutive wins.

Knicks’ star Jalen Brunson has been a popular choice among bettors, frequently surpassing his points total amidst tight games. As he heads into Game 5, his line has adjusted to O/U 30.5 points.

Predictably, my inclination is favoring the Pacers to remain within the point spread, given their proven performance as “playoff puppies”. Looking back, I recall covering Thibodeau-led Bulls teams in the playoffs - fatigue tends to rear its head before the Finals, a pattern I have seen unfold multiple times.

Even if the Knicks manage to extend the series, I anticipate it to be a narrowly contested matchup.

PICK: Indiana Pacers (+5) to either lose by fewer than 5 points or win outright.