BetMGM Second Chance picks, player prop bets, NBA odds, first basket predictions for Knicks vs. Pacers Game 1

The 2025 NBA Eastern Conference finals get underway on Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET when the New York Knicks host the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks advanced by beating the Boston Celtics in the second round, while the Pacers defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers in their second round series. The Knicks are favored by 4.5 points and the over/under is 223.5 points in the latest Knicks vs. Pacers odds. Jalen Brunson leads the way for New York, averaging 28.8 points and 7.7 assists per game during the postseason. Tyrese Haliburton has paced Indiana, averaging 17.3 points, 9.3 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game in the playoffs. The Knicks are 4.5-point favorites in the latest Pacers vs. Knicks odds for Game 1, while the over-under for total points scored is 222.

SportsLine expert handicapper Jimmie Kaylor has broken down the NBA odds and locked in three first basket scorer prop bets for Knicks vs. Pacers Game 1 on Wednesday. He has identified three first basket scorer prop bets for Game 1 to take advantage of BetMGM’s Second Chance promotion. All three picks come with potential plus-money payouts. New users can take advantage of the BetMGM promo code offering up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first bet loses.

BetMGM is offering users ‘second chance’ insurance for every game throughout the NBA playoffs. Users pick the player they think will score first in the game. If it’s not their player, but their player ultimately scores the second field goal of the game, they get their stake back. In addition, check out our best NBA player prop picks for Wednesday and our Knicks vs. Pacers series best bets. 

Kaylor has been profitable as a handicapper across multiple sports since joining SportsLine, and his background as a former college and NFL player gives him a unique perspective when building his fantasy lineups and locking in his online sports betting picks.

Here are his top three choices for first basket:

• Jalen Brunson (+425)
• Tyrese Haliburton (+1050)
• Karl-Anthony Towns (+500)

Jalen Brunson first field goal scorer (+425)

The underlying data from the regular season and playoffs would suggest that the Knicks will win the opening tip in Game 1. For the season, Brunson has attempted the first shot in 28.9% of New York’s games. He’s scored the first basket in 10 games thus far, and has been on a tear during the postseason, averaging 28.8 points per game. See more Knicks vs. Pacers Game 1 props here.

Tyrese Haliburton first field goal scorer (+1050)

Haliburton has the longest of odds of any player on the board for this game. Indiana hasn’t fared well in opening tip-offs during the playoffs (31.5% win rate), but this value is too strong to pass up. Haliburton has attempted the first shot for the Pacers in 8.5% of their games and scored the first basket in seven games this season. See the best bets for the Pacers vs. Knicks series here.

Karl-Anthony Towns first field goal scorer (+500)

As previously mentioned, statistical trends would suggest New York will get the first possession on Wednesday night. Towns has attempted far fewer first shots than his teammate Brunson, but the 7-foot center has actually scored the first basket in a team-high 12 games this season. 

Want more NBA picks for today?

You’ve seen some of Kaylor’s NBA playoff best bets for Wednesday. Now, get spread, total and money-line picks for every game here, all from the model that’s simulated every game 10,000 times. 

Also at SportsLine:
You can also see today’s top NBA prop picks from expert Mike Barner, who’s on a sizzling 166-116 roll on his last 282 NBA player prop picks. Visit SportsLine to see his best plays for today, all from the expert who’s up more than 29 units. 

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NBA Playoffs Second Chance Promotion

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