Who are the X Factors in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Finals?
Game One of the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals was electric. It was one of the most entertaining games in recent playoff history. New York’s historic collapse in their 138–135 defeat on Wednesday night will be looming ahead of their Game Two matchup at 8 p.m. EST on Friday at Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks are favored by -5.5 points according to ESPN BET. New York will be looking to even the series before the two teams head back to Indiana. As Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers look to steal a second game on the road, it won’t come without a challenge from New York.
X-Factors for Game Two
Despite 43 points from Jalen Brunson and 35 points from Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks gave up a 17-point lead with 6:26 left to play. For them to hang on to Game Two, they're going to need their role players and bench to support their two stars. With only 17 points off the bench, New York is going to need players like Miles “Deuce” McBride and Cam Payne to help with some of their half-court struggles in the non-Brunson minutes. They are also going to need Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby to shoot better than their combined two-for-nine from the three-point line.
For Indiana to replicate their Game One victory in Game Two, they are going to need similar games from Andrew Nembhard and Aaron Nesmith to complement Haliburton. Nesmith’s 20-point fourth quarter and Nembhard’s timely makes in overtime were crucial in their Game One victory. However, the Pacers found themselves trailing by as much as 17 points in the fourth and in the final 4:30 of the game. They struggled to keep score in the second half. Indiana is going to look for Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner to be involved more offensively in Game Two after combining for just 31 pts in Game One.
Who is Game Two More Important For?
With Indiana stealing home-court advantage with their road victory in Game One, New York will be desperate not to fall 2–0 and drop both games at The Garden. Only five teams in NBA Playoff history have ever come back from a 2–0 deficit when dropping the first two games at home. On the flip side, the Pacers will be looking to head back to Indiana with a comfortable 2–0 lead as they did in the Eastern Conference Semis against the Cleveland Cavaliers. With both teams eager for Game Two, The Garden promises a special night.
