2025 NBA Eastern Conference Finals Preview: Knicks And Pacers Fight To Be Team Of Destiny

The New York Knicks will square off against the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals, both teams feeling extremely confident on the back of defeating 60-win teams.

When you have that sort of energy behind you, it’s hard not to believe the stars are aligning. The Knicks haven’t reached the NBA Finals since 1999. The Pacers haven’t since 2000.

That will only remain true for one of these teams at the end of this series. Both teams know each other well, having clashed in the second round of last year’s postseason already.

Injuries played a significant role a year ago. Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson were out and OG Anunoby suffered a hamstring injury in Game 2. Jalen Brunson broke his hand in the second quarter of Game 7. Bennedict Mathurin was out for the Pacers.

Both Indiana and New York come into this series as healthy as teams can hope to be at this stage of the season. Only one win separated them in the regular season. Here’s what could separate them now.

The Numbers

New York Knicks

Record: 51-31, No.3 seed

• Net Rating: eighth (plus-4.0)
• Offensive Rating: fifth (117.3)
• Defensive Rating: 13th (113.3)

Indiana Pacers

Record: 50-32, No.4 seed

• Net Rating: 13th (plus-2.1)
• Offensive Rating: ninth (115.4)
• Defensive Rating: 14th (113.3)

Can Knicks’ Defense Stifle Pacers’ Offense?

Indiana has been the best jump-shooting team, possesses the most efficient half-court offense and is the second-ranked transition team in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The Knicks, meanwhile, have the Against the 3-point-centric Celtics, they employed a switch-heavy strategy and were rewarded. They could well look to do the same against the Pacers. Indiana showed how punishing it can be against drop coverage, but Haliburton is equally adept carving out advantages against the switch.

One of the specialties of the Knicks’ defense is its ability to collapse inside and close out back to the perimeter. They use the speed and length of Anunoby, Mikal Bridges and even Robinson to shrink the court to great effect. Josh Hart fills whatever role is needed. That will be tested to a maximum against Indiana.

Which Star Point Guard Will Shine Brightest?

Sometimes, you’ve just got to accept Occam’s razor when it’s in front of you. How the Brunson vs. Haliburton matchup plays out will have a massive bearing on this series. They’ve been the two best point guards in the East this postseason, have had huge clutch moments to swing games and series, and are at the top of opposing scouting reports.

Earlier in the playoffs, when Brunson briefly exited because of injury, Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau joked Brunson had gone to the back to grab his cape. But now Brunson will be going up against someone who is at least his equal in the clutch these playoffs. Haliburton’s heroics turned around Game 5 against the Milwaukee Bucks and he did it again in Game 2 against the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second round. He made more big plays when it mattered while closing out Cleveland in Game 5, too.

Brunson’s signature moment came in the first round against the Detroit Pistons, but he also hit some massive shots when the Knicks came back in each of the first two games against Boston. These two guards couldn’t be more different both in of physical build and style, which makes the matchup all the more fascinating.

Haliburton will use his herky-jerky approach and elite vision to keep teams off balance, while Brunson will bring his combination of power and footwork to be a dominant force.

After not seeing much of Damian Lillard in the first round or Darius Garland in the second round, this will surely be Haliburton’s biggest test. Underrated? Overrated? Here’s the perfect opportunity to set the right rating.

Knicks’ X Factor: Mitchell Robinson

Even with the Hack-a-Mitch strategy, Robinson had a major impact in the second round. His defense has been flat out smothering and his ability to stick with perimeter players on the outside was a huge difference-maker against the Celtics.

Just look at Robinson go to work here:

Mitchell Robinson with OUTSTANDING defense… leads to a layup for Karl-Anthony Towns on the other end!

NYK on a 17-4 run in the 2Q on ESPN 👏 pic.twitter.com/TmKtT53rax

— NBA (@NBA) May 17, 2025

 

Robinson’s light feet amplifies everything the Knicks want to do on the defensive end. Having someone his size who can stay in front of wings and close out to the perimeter or intimidate attempts at the rim is a super power next to Hart, Bridges and Anunoby.

The Pacers licked their collective chops at the sight of Brook Lopez and Jarrett Allen but Robinson should be less exploitable in space. Can they slow Robinson’s impact or will he continue to be an imposing defensive force?

Pacers’ X Factor: Andrew Nembhard

Nembhard will be Brunson’s primary defender, just as he was last playoffs. The Pacers guard is tough and gritty, and will certainly make Brunson work for every point. The experience of defending him in a playoff setting just a year ago will be invaluable.

Against the Cavs, Nembhard averaged 14.2 points and 7.2 assists while shooting 52 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. Carry that over to the Eastern Conference Finals and Indiana should like its chances.

Prediction: Pacers In 6

Indiana’s ability to problem solve stands out so far this postseason. New York is healthier than it was a year ago and has home-court advantage. I do think the Pacers have the edge in of depth, which has played a sizable role these playoffs.

This series has all the ingredients of a classic and could very easily go either way.