NBA 2024/25 Expert Tips and Best Bets | May 22

Today marks the start of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks. With that, we have three great bets to get you involved with game one. We’re looking towards the Knicks to defend home court, Mikal Bridges to have a solid scoring night at 15+, and Tyrese Haliburton to put up a fight with 18 or more points.

Knicks ML | $1.52 @ Betfocus

The New York Knicks are back in the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, when, ironically, they lost to the Indiana Pacers. They have home court advantage this time around, and the Garden will be absolutely rocking for game one. Indiana is a high flying offense, but New York has the pieces in place to keep them in check. Long wings like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges will offer Tyrese Haliburton problems he has yet to face in the playoffs. Offensively, of course they have Jalen Brunson leading the charge, but KAT has also played very well against the Pacers this season. With these factors in mind, we like New York ML at $1.52 on Betfocus.

Mikal Bridges 15+ Points | $1.50 @ Betright

Mikal Bridges was a massive offseason addition for the Knicks. He hasn’t been overly consistent scoring the ball for his new team, but he has shown up in clutch moments time after time. He’s gone over 15 points in six of his 12 playoff games, and we like his potential matchup against Indiana. He seems likely to be guarded by Andrew Nembhard, who is a solid defender, but gives up a good three inches of height to Bridges. With Mikal’s ability to rise up in the mid-range and get his shot off, we like him to go for 15+ with a smaller defender on him who won’t be able to consistently contest with his high release.

Tyrese Haliburton 18+ Points | $1.75 @ PlayUp

Tyrese Haliburton can be overly passive at times as one of the league’s best set-up men. NBA betting sites recognize this, and are offering solid value for him to score the ball. Indiana are at their best when Tyrese is getting shots up to go along with his elite distribution. In the Pacers biggest games of the playoffs, he has upped his aggression, and we believe that will be the case in game one. Even if it comes at the expense of efficiency, Indiana needs Haliburton to pressure the defense with his scoring ability to hang with New York. He will have the ultimate green light, and as such, we like him for 18+ points at $1.75 on PlayUp.