The Indiana Pacers once again came up big at home to avoid elimination and force Game 7 by defeating the Knicks, 116-103, on Friday night.
Here are the conclusions…
-The Pacers outscored the Knicks 47-35 in a complete Game 5 upset and were led by Pascal Siakam 25 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
–Jalen Brunson led New York with 31 points and five assists, followed by Miles McBride It is Donte DiVincenzo with 20 and 17, respectively.
–Miles Turner scored 17 points, while Andrew Nembhard, TJ McConnell It is Tyrese Haliburton each had 15.
-Both teams maintained control from the start, with Indiana breaking down the offensive boards and New York getting an immediate spark from McBride.
-He hit three first threes on the way to 11 points in the quarter as the Knicks led 30-29 after one.
-After a move on the first, Josh Hart he was feeling discomfort with something in his left abdomen, but continued playing despite feeling obvious pain.
-With Brunson having an uncharacteristic 2-of-13 start, others continued to advance. McBride continued his heater, Isaiah Hartenstein began to make a big impact on the offensive boards in the second quarter and DiVincenzo found his rhythm to finish the half with 15 points.
-Indiana made its attack late in the second half with a 17-2 run capitalized on a big hit by Turner, making nine consecutive field goals to help take a 61-51 halftime lead.
-Brunson started to get on track trying to start the Knicks’ comeback, but the Pacers quickly strengthened their lead. Haliburton found a rhythm on McBride, shooting at him from multiple ranges.
-McConnell and the bench troubled the Knicks once again as Indy used an 11-3 run to build a lead of up to 18 points before going fourth at 88-75.
-Things went from bad to worse when Hart left for the locker room early in the quarter and Indiana opened a 20-point lead behind an 8-0 run.
-Brunson was benched and Hart ruled out for the night just minutes later as the Pacers cruised to victory.
Game MVP: Pascal Siakam
Siakam approached the Hart matchup with renewed vengeance tonight, constantly attacking him and whoever the Knicks tried in the mid and low post. His three offensive rebounds also helped set Indiana’s pace on the glass.
Highlights
What is the next
The Knicks and Pacers will meet in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, with a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals on the line. Arraignment is scheduled for 3:30 pm ET.
