The New York Knicks jumped out to a 2-0 series lead with home wins at Madison Square Garden, but the two-game road trip in Indiana ended with the Knicks returning to New York with a tied series and seemingly a must-win Game 5. Well, Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart, and the shorthanded Knicks blew out the Pacers in a 121-91 victory to take a 3-2 lead.
Games 4 and 5 of the Knicks-Pacers series could not have been any different, as Indiana thoroughly dominated New York 121-89 on Sunday to knot the series up at two games apiece. But the lopsided result could have given the Knicks, who are without key players Mitchell Robinson, OG Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Bojan Bogdanovic, some much-needed rest after three tight, grueling games to begin the series.
Whether that was the case or not, the Knicks seemed energized far more in Game 5 in New York than when they were back in Indiana.
“We came out with great energy,” Hart said after the 30-point win yesterday. “Obviously, we had a really tough Game 4, got our butts kicked. But we came out with energy, we came out with physicality, and we responded. I feel like that’s what this team does.”
Knicks on verge of first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000
Throughout the season, the New York Knicks seemed to be a threat to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals, particularly following the acquisition of OG Anunoby. However, the team shortly thereafter was severely bitten by the injury bug. With multiple players sidelined, the Knicks went from a no-brainer No. 2 seed to having to beat the Chicago Bulls in overtime of their final regular-season game to clinch the second seed.
Their reward was a physical and hard-fought six-game series with the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. Now, the Knicks are in the midst of another back-and-forth series with the Indiana Pacers, an old rival. While the players are all different, the animosity between the teams has been evident, including during Game 5 when Donte DiVincenzo and Myles Turner were separated by other players and officials.
“They’re trying to be tough guys, that’s not their identity,” DiVincenzo said after the game. “There’s nothing more to that. I just don’t – I don’t agree trying to walk up on somebody … Nobody’s gonna fight in the NBA. Take the foul. Keep it moving. You’re not a tough guy. Just keep it moving.”
With their one-sided win yesterday, the Knicks will have two opportunities to win one game and clinch their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2000, when they coincidentally lost to the Pacers in the ECF. If the Knicks win either Game 6 or Game 7, they will likely be heading to Boston to play the Celtics, who are hold a 3-1 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers in the other Eastern Conference Semifinal matchup.
But Tom Thibodeau and the Knicks very likely will not take Game 6 for granted, considering New York lost its only regular-season game and both playoff games so far in Indianapolis. The pivotal Game 6 is scheduled for Friday. Tip-off time is still to be determined.
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