The Indiana Pacers have stormed back in the series courtesy of a cardiac win in Game 3 and a dominating Game 4. Can the gassed New York Knicks recover?
Catch the game tomorrow at 8:00 AM, Manila time.
AWAY: Indiana Pacers (2-2)
Projected starting five:
- Tyrese Haliburton
- Andrew Nembhard
- Aaron Nesmith
- Pascal Siakam
- Myles Turner
The Pacers followed up their thrilling Game 3 win with a massively inspired Game 4 performance, so much so that they ran past the Knicks, 121-89, and even led by as much as 43. Momentum is now theirs and they have a chance to be in great control with another victory.
Despite the two losses, the pace of every game has been controlled by the Pacers. They have forced the Knicks to come play their fast-paced style, and it has been paying off as NYK is getting hurt trying to keep up – last game’s throttling was Exhibit A because the Knicks were seemingly out of breath before halftime.
The balanced attack in Game 4 was a thing to watch, which saw 31 total assists, six Pacers reaching double-digits, an efficient 56.8% shooting from the team. Such could easily be carried over tomorrow.
All-Star Tyrese Haliburton led the way with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists, and four threes, while a couple of utility guys player their role tremendously – Aaron Nesmith had 12 rebounds , Obi Toppin posted 14 points in 18 minutes, Isaiah Jackson chipped in 10 pints, six boards, and two steals in 19 minutes, and, most notable of all, TJ McConnell, who double-doubled for 15 points and 10 assists off-the-bench, alongside his trademark pesky defense.
HOME: New York Knicks (2-2)
Projected starting five:
- Jalen Brunson
- Donte DiVincenzo
- Josh Hart
- OG Anunoby (questionable) / Precious Achiuwa
- Isaiah Hartenstein
The Knicks should be feeling relieved as they are finally back home with the rabid New Yorkers, but make no mistake about it, they are treading dangerous water now. This is a must-win game.
Adding to the mounting pressure is their conditioning. These guys have been playing 40-plus minutes of intense payoff basketball over the last two weeks, and were understandably just running on fumes in Game 4, hence the quick routing they got. The team and the fans better pray hard the one-day rest has done wonders.
Jalen Brunson (29.0 PPG, 5.5 APG in the series), Josh Hart (13.8 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 5.3 APG, 1.5 SPG), and Donte DiVincenzo (23.8 PPG) will continue doing the heavy-lifting, especially with two-way forward OG Anunoby still questionable due a hamstring injury. His presence has been greatly missed, and they can only hope he can come back before it’s too late.
Defensively, big man Isiah Hartenstein and the rest need to do a better job containing Myles Turner, as well as disrupting the speed of the game once Indy does its patented pushing of the pace. Head coach Tom Thibodeau also needs to gameplan around the facilitation and constant peskiness of McConnell – he’s been disrupting the Knicks’ flow every possession.
PICKS:
Spread: Pacers (+2)
Over/Under: Over (216)
