NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions for Sunday, May 25

The conference round of the NBA Playoffs resumes with one standalone matchup on Sunday night, as Game 3 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 Sunday, May 25.

NBA Playoffs Best Bets, Picks, Predictions: Sunday, May 25

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Game	Time (ET)	Pick
[teammatchup link=”#1″ firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]	8 p.m.	Jalen Brunson Over 30.5 Points
[teammatchup link=”#2″ firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]	8 p.m.	Knicks 1H ML
[teammatchup link=”#3″ firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]	8 p.m.	Over 223.5
[teammatchup link=”#4″ firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]	8 p.m.	Knicks +2
[teammatchup link=”#5″ firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]	8 p.m.	Mitchell Robinson Over 8.5 Rebounds
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.

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Knicks vs. Pacers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Jalen Brunson Over 30.5 Points (-125)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” awayname=”New York Knicks” awayslug=”new-york-knicks” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png” homename=”Indiana Pacers” homeslug=”indiana-pacers” date=”Sunday, May 25″ time=”8 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”DraftKings ” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/477013_DraftKings@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”draftkings”][/gameheader]

By Joe Dellera

The Knicks are on the road and down 0-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. They desperately need the Captain to put the team on his back yet again.

Brunson is destroying Indiana this series with 43 and 36 point efforts on a monstrous 40% Usage Rate. He’s taken 25 and 27 shots with 14 and 5 FTAs in these games as well.

He’s getting to his spots and nobody can truly even slow him down.

Even though no one wants to see a player destroy them on offense to this degree, Indiana hasn’t made any major schematic shifts to slow it down.

Given that they’re up 2-0, I doubt they’ll completely change the game plan tonight, and even if they did, it doesn’t mean they can stop him.

I’ll back Brunson to put the city on his back in Game 3.

Pick: Jalen Brunson Over 30.5 Points (-125)

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[teammatchup link=”#1″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#2″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#3″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#4″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]

[teammatchup link=”#5″ shadow=”true” firstfullname=”New York Knicks” firstlogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” secondfullname=”Indiana Pacers” secondlogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png”][/teammatchup]

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Knicks vs. Pacers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Knicks First Half Moneyline (-105)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” awayname=”New York Knicks” awayslug=”new-york-knicks” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png” homename=”Indiana Pacers” homeslug=”indiana-pacers” date=”Sunday, May 25″ time=”8 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Michael Arinze

Nothing is off the table for the Knicks, as recent reporting suggests Mitchell Robinson could replace Josh Hart in the starting lineup.

As a 7-footer who can guard multiple positions, Robinson is likely the best option the Knicks have to slow down Indiana’s juggernaut offense. He can be an asset on the perimeter when asked to defend smaller players, while his size is also a deterrent inside the paint as a rim protector.

For example, John Schuhmann of NBA.com highlighted that Indiana scored just 0.80 points per opportunity when Robinson was the primary defender on a ball screen.

Though we won’t know if Robinson will get the start until closer to tipoff, it remains clear that the Knicks are at least considering making some adjustments.

After all, it makes sense to try something different when you find yourself in a 0-2 hole in the postseason. At minimum, we should see a spirited performance from the Knicks to start the game.

According to our Action Labs database, playoff teams on a two-game losing streak are a robust 174-98-2 (68.89 units) on the first half moneyline. This angle is all about motivation, making it a great way to back the Knicks in Game 3.

Pick: Knicks First Half Moneyline (-105)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Knicks vs. Pacers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Over 223.5 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” awayname=”New York Knicks” awayslug=”new-york-knicks” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png” homename=”Indiana Pacers” homeslug=”indiana-pacers” date=”Sunday, May 25″ time=”8 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”BetMGM” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/779359_BetMGM800x200@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”betmgm”][/gameheader]

By Alex Hinton

The Pacers went into Madison Square Garden and were able to steal home court advantage and bring a 2-0 lead back to Indiana.

They have posted a 126 offensive rating while the Knicks are at 123.9 through the first two games. That has resulted in 273 and 223 points in the first two games.

Game 1 did require overtime but it was already well over tonight’s total in regulation.

Now back home, the Pacers may look to run even more. The Over is 3-2 in their home games this postseason. Four of those games had at least 224 points.

Though the Knicks dropped the first two games in this series, being on the road may not be the worst thing for them. They are 5-1 on the road this postseason. The Over is 3-3 in those games and all three Overs had at least 229 points.

Jalen Brunson may be a big factor in getting this total. He is averaging 39.5 points per game in this series after averaging 29.7 points per game against in last year’s seven-game series.

With his team desperate for a win tonight, expect him to lead the way, which in turn should lead to another high-scoring affair.

Pick: Over 223.5 (-110)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Knicks vs. Pacers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Knicks +2 (-110)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” awayname=”New York Knicks” awayslug=”new-york-knicks” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png” homename=”Indiana Pacers” homeslug=”indiana-pacers” date=”Sunday, May 25″ time=”8 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”Fanatics Sportsbook” bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/542724_Fanatics-banner-logo.png” bookreviewslug=”fanatics-sportsbook”][/gameheader]

By Michael Fiddle

Just like the Wolves showed last night, being down 0-2 seems to be quite a boost.

The Pacers have also found themselves with a 2-0 lead for the 3rd time these playoffs, and they lost Game 3 in both of the previous situations.

Desperation and the zig-zag effect are real in the NBA Playoffs.

Home court advantage in the NBA playoffs is worth about 6 points switching from one venue to the next, and this move from a Game 2 close at Knicks -6 to a Knicks +2 is too far.

I like the Knicks to cover the spread, and will sprinkle some on the moneyline as well.

Pick: Knicks +2 (-110)

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[subheader sizedown=”false” text=”Knicks vs. Pacers”][/subheader]

[gameheader haspick=”true” picktext=”Mitchell Robinson Over 8.5 Rebounds (-135)” league=”nba” awaylogo=”https://images.actionnetwork.com/blog/2023/07/new-york-knicks-updated-logo-2023.png” awayname=”New York Knicks” awayslug=”new-york-knicks” homelogo=”https://static.sprtactn.co/teamlogos/nba/100/ind.png” homename=”Indiana Pacers” homeslug=”indiana-pacers” date=”Sunday, May 25″ time=”8 p.m. ET” network=”TNT” bookname=”bet365″ bookprimarylogo=”https://assets.actionnetwork.com/859377_Bet365@1x.png” bookreviewslug=”bet365″][/gameheader]

By Bryan Fonseca

Mitchell Robinson might start tonight, per Ian Begley. But even if he doesn’t, expect big minutes.

Robinson has recorded eight and nine rebounds in this series, and is averaging 8.5, sitting behind Karl-Anthony Towns (19) and Josh Hart (19) — his two unplayable Game 2 teammates — with 17 this series.

No, KAT and Hart won’t always be as rough as they were in Game 2.

Hart, in particular, is someone who should be more impactful this series, and I have a +500 future for him to lead the series in boards. But Robinson at +1100 is kind of insane. Yes, he’s a potential injury risk with increased minutes.

Yes, he’s unlikely to play 40 whether he starts or comes off the bench — his season-high is 33 — the only game this year with 30 or more. And yes, KAT is a deserved favorite.

But KAT and Jalen Brunson allow 1.5 points per possession when together on the floor. The Knicks coaching staff has to be aware of KAT being picked on defensively — along with Brunson — hence the flirtation with starting Robinson.

This is trending toward a potential Robinson double-digit rebound game, and I think beyond Game 3, he’s live for series rebounds leader if we’re going to get 30+ minutes — he had 29 last game.

Improving his free-throw shooting could help keep him on the floor longer.

Pick: Mitchell Robinson Over 8.5 Rebounds (-135)

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