The Indiana Pacers are edging closer to an NBA title opportunity, leading the Eastern Conference finals 2-0 after a 114-109 victory over the New York Knicks. Pascal Siakam starred with a playoff career-high of 39 points, complemented by Myles Turner’s 16 points and Tyrese Haliburton’s 14 points, 11 assists, and eight rebounds. The Pacers have been in formidable form, winning six consecutive road games since the first round.
As they gear up for Game 3 in Indiana, coinciding with the Indianapolis 500, the Pacers aim to replicate their road success. Coach Rick Carlisle praised Siakam’s performance, highlighting his pivotal role during challenging moments in the game. The Pacers’ only NBA Finals appearance came in 2000 when they faced the Lakers.
The Knicks, in their first conference finals in 25 years, struggled despite Jalen Brunson’s impressive 36 points and 11 assists. Although they improved defensively from their prior 138-135 loss, their offense fell short. Key players Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns added 20 points each, yet Towns played limited minutes as Coach Tom Thibodeau opted for defensive specialist Mitchell Robinson.
The game was intensely competitive, tied at 81 going into the fourth quarter. The Pacers surged ahead with a 13-4 run, extended their lead, and held off a late Knicks rally that brought the score to 110-109 in the final seconds. The matchup marked the 50th playoff meeting between the two rivals, with the Pacers leading the series 28-22, reminiscent of their defensive clashes in the 1990s. As the Knicks look for a quick response, history indicates a tough path ahead for teams losing the first two games at home in a conference finals series.
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