NBA Playoffs: Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks Game 5
Game 5: Indiana Pacers @ New York Knicks Thurs. May 16, 2013 8 p.m. ET
The Eastern Conference Finals is only one win away for the Indiana Pacers with the New York Knicks facing elimination for the first time in the NBA playoffs on Thursday night at Madison Square Garden. Roy Hibbert and company have taken control of this series with relative ease as the Knicks have struggled to do what they do best, shooting and scoring.
Although the Pacers have seemingly taken the clear edge in this series with a two-game lead, Indiana may find it difficult to closeout the Knicks at home. New York is desperate to say the least with the team struggling to reclaim their form from the first round of the postseason against the division rival Boston Celtics.
The Knicks will need to win the next two games in order to get back into this series and force a Game 7 back at Madison Square Garden. Although the Knicks have uphill climb ahead of them, New York has an opportunity to inflict the first blow on Thursday night with a win at home in order to force the series back to Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Knicks were favored to win this series to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in Las Vegas odds, but the Pacers appear to be the better all-around team while it could be argue the Knicks have the better individual players.
At this point in time, the Knicks are favored to bounce back in Game 5 with a win at home. New York has a -5 point spread in their favor heading into this showdown back in the Big Apple. Despite the fact the Pacers have been able to impose their will in this series, Indiana will likely lose this game on the road before potentially closing out New York in Game 6.