Pacers vs Knicks Game 2 Picks and Predictions

FREE NBA PICK OF THE DAY: TAP HERE

Tyrese Haliburton didn’t just play the villain at MSG he cemented his status in Knicks fans’ nightmares for years to come.

After flashing the infamous Reggie Miller choke sign in front of a stunned Garden crowd, Haliburton backed it up by leading Indiana to one of the most improbable playoff comebacks we’ve seen in a decade. The Pacers clawed back from 14 points down with under three minutes left and snatched Game 1 in overtime, 138-135.

Jalen Brunson had Knicks fans dreaming big after his dagger three pushed the lead to 119-105 with 2:51 left in regulation. But from that point on, it was all Pacers and mostly Aaron Nesmith. The sharpshooter turned flamethrower, burying six threes in the fourth quarter alone and finishing with 30 points on 8-of-9 from deep. His final triple brought Indiana within two with 22 seconds left.

Haliburton, who dropped 31 and 11 dimes, nailed what looked like a buzzer-beating three to tie the game only to have it ruled a long two. No matter. In overtime, the Pacers sealed it, and Haliburton got the last laugh, choke sign and all.

“It felt right at the time,” Haliburton said postgame. “If I knew it was a two, I wouldn’t have done it. Might’ve wasted it.” Spoiler alert: he didn’t.

For the Knicks, Brunson’s 43-point night and Towns’ 35 won’t be what fans remember. They’ll remember the meltdown.

“We played 46 good minutes. Those last two? That’s where we lost it,” said Towns.

Josh Hart didn’t sugarcoat it either: “We let off the gas. The energy, the urgency gone. We looked like a team trying not to lose instead of one trying to win.”

And now? Friday’s Game 2 is a must-win for New York. Lose again at home, and it’s off to Indiana down 0-2 a hill no team wants to climb in the conference finals.

The Pacers smell blood. The Knicks are wounded. And for bettors? Game 2 is shaping up to be another war just like Coach Carlisle promised.