Pivotal Game 4 in the Eastern Conference Finals: Pacers Stretch Their Lead
The Indiana Pacers turned the tide of the Eastern Conference Finals, snatching Game 4 from the New York Knicks with a commanding 130-121 victory. This win puts the Pacers just one step away from clinching a spot in the NBA Finals, now holding a 3-1 series advantage. Fans and bettors alike had their eyes glued to every play, especially given the implications for DraftKings Sportsbook wagers.
Tyrese Haliburton put on a show, delivering a near-triple-double performance that made all the difference in this high-stakes matchup. Meanwhile, Karl-Anthony Towns went down with an injury late in the game, throwing a wrench into the Knicks’ already tough situation. His absence in the final stretch was clearly felt, as Indiana capitalized and held off every late surge from New York.
For anyone following the action through DraftKings, prop bets and live lines shifted dramatically as the third quarter exploded in Indiana’s favor. The Pacers’ outburst not only put them firmly ahead on the scoreboard, but also swung the odds for bets placed on quarter winners and total points. Picks that banked on a high-scoring affair paid off, as both teams pushed the pace and lighting up the stat sheet. Spreads and over/under lines were in constant flux, especially as Pacers guards exploited New York’s tired perimeter defense.
Betting Angles and Standout Performances
Before tipoff, most betting lines favored a close contest, with DraftKings setting the spread around six points in the Pacers’ favor and a game total hovering just above 240. Those who believed in Indiana’s offense, especially after their Game 3 momentum, were rewarded. Bettors that trusted Haliburton’s playmaking or hit on Siakam’s point props got value for their picks. The Pacers consistently beat the Knicks to loose balls, and their dominant third quarter—where they outscored New York by double digits—became the pivotal stretch for in-game betting.
Karl-Anthony Towns’ late-game injury brought an extra wrinkle to prop markets; live player betting had to quickly adjust, with his absence opening the door for backup forwards to fill the gap. New York’s Pascal Siakam kept his team in striking distance, pouring in key buckets, but the Knicks simply couldn’t sustain the offensive pace required to close the gap.
With the Pacers leading 3-1, DraftKings has already begun adjusting their series odds, making Indiana strong favorites to clinch the East. Injury reports will be crucial moving forward, as the Knicks’ depth will be tested and odds on individual player performances could see major shifts game-to-game. Whether you’re tracking the moneyline, player props, or live quarter bets, the drama of the Eastern Conference Finals just keeps rolling.
That third quarter was pure fire. I was screaming at my screen like I was courtside. The Pacers didn't just win-they erased any doubt. Haliburton was playing chess while the Knicks were still trying to find their pawns.
And don't even get me started on how Towns just vanished. One minute he's there, next minute-poof. Like he got teleported to a yoga retreat.
LMAO the knicks thought they could hang with a real team. Haliburton was just toying with them. And that 3rd qtr? 40 points? Bro that’s not basketball that’s a video game cheat code. Draftkings must’ve been crying into their coffee. Also siakam was clutch but like... too little too late. And townes? He looked like he was playing in slow motion after the 3rd. Sad.
I have to say, I was skeptical about Indiana’s depth going into this series, but seeing how they adjusted after Towns went down... it’s impressive. The way Haliburton orchestrated everything, the ball movement, the defensive rotations-it felt like a masterclass. And even though the Knicks kept fighting, it’s clear the Pacers have more than just one star. They’ve got a system.
I’m curious how the coaching staff managed to keep everyone focused after the injury. That’s often where teams unravel.
The statistical variance in offensive efficiency between the first two quarters and the third was statistically significant at p < 0.001. Furthermore, the defensive rating for New York in the third quarter deteriorated by 18.7 points per 100 possessions, which is an outlier event in modern NBA analytics. One might conclude that Indiana executed their game plan with surgical precision.
Somebody please tell me why we still treat this like a real competition. The Knicks have been playing like they’re trying to lose. And now they’re blaming an injury? Cute. They had 3 games to fix their defense. They didn’t. So now they’re sad? Grow up.
I knew it. I KNEW IT. This is what happens when you let ego take over. The Knicks thought they were the new Knicks of 2013. But no. This is 2024. And in 2024, you don’t just show up and expect miracles. Haliburton didn’t just outplay them-he exposed them. And Towns? He didn’t get injured. He got emotionally defeated. You can’t fake heart. And the Knicks? They’re all heart… on paper.
There’s a quiet poetry in how basketball reveals truth. The Pacers didn’t just win-they revealed the fragility of performative toughness. Towns’ injury wasn’t a twist. It was the inevitable collapse of a house built on hype. And Haliburton? He didn’t play. He conducted. Like a symphony where every note was a whisper, and the Knicks? They were deaf to the music.
This is why you play the game. Not for the stats, not for the bets, not for the headlines. For moments like this. The Pacers didn’t just win-they reminded everyone why we love this sport. Grit, growth, execution. No fluff. Just pure, unfiltered basketball. I’m not even a Pacers fan, but I’m standing up and applauding.
LMAO the Knicks are like that one friend who brings snacks to a party but forgets the drinks. "We got this!" ... Nope. Just... nope. 🤡💥
I’m not even a basketball person but I watched this whole game with my jaw on the floor. The way Haliburton just… moved? Like water. And the Pacers’ bench? Unstoppable. I didn’t know I could feel this much joy from a game I didn’t even bet on. I’m crying. Not because I won money. Because I saw something beautiful.
Also someone please tell me where I can buy Pacers merch? I need a hat.
I’ve been following this series closely, and I must say... the pacing, the spacing, the off-ball movement... it’s been a textbook example of modern NBA offense. The Pacers’ ability to reset the offense after every missed shot, the way they use screens without over-relying on isolation... it’s been fascinating to watch. And Haliburton’s decision-making under pressure? Remarkable. I’ve never seen a guard control tempo like this at such a high level.
Oh wow, the Knicks lost because Towns got hurt? What a surprise. Let me guess-next they’ll blame the refs, the air conditioning, and the fact that the Pacers didn’t let them use their own shoes. This team has been a walking disaster since Game 1. And you wonder why people don’t take them seriously? They’re not a team. They’re a Netflix documentary waiting to happen.
For those wondering how the Pacers managed to dominate the third quarter, it’s not just Haliburton. It’s the way they rotated defenders on Siakam-every time he tried to go left, someone was waiting. And the ball movement was insane. Look at the assist-to-turnover ratio. Over 25 assists in that quarter with only 2 turnovers? That’s elite.
Also, the Pacers’ bench was the real X-factor. The second unit outscored New York’s by 14 points. That’s the difference between a good team and a championship-caliber one.
I’m just happy to see a team play with such heart. No drama, no trash talk-just clean, smart basketball. The Pacers didn’t need to prove anything. They just showed up and did their job. That’s the kind of team you want to root for.