The Knicks and Pacers will renew their rivalry in the NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Without Giannis, the Pacers stunned the Milwaukee Bucks in the first-round series, winning 4-2. In their regular-season series, the Pacers only lost one game while defeating the Knicks twice. The Pacers prevailed on December 30 and February 10, scoring 140-126 and 125-111, respectively, while the Knicks prevailed on February 1 with a score of 109-105.
This season, the sixth-seeded Pacers are leading the league in shooting (92.7 FGA per game), assists (30.8), and points (123.3). Ultimately, their defensive rating (118) was ranked 24th in the NBA, while their offensive rating (121) and pace (101.7) were ranked second and third, respectively. In conclusion, they move quickly and score a lot of goals, but their defense is lacking. If the Knicks play their gritty brand of basketball and slow down the opposition, they stand a good chance of winning.
“Historic History”
Eight playoff meetings have taken place between the two teams: three in the Eastern Conference Semifinals (1995, 1998, 2013), three in the Eastern Conference Finals (1994, 1999, 2000), and once in the first round (1993). The Pacers have won four of the seven playoff series they have participated in, with a 22-19 advantage through 41 games.
John Starks’ headbutt on Reggie Miller during the 1993 playoffs, Miller’s infamous “choke” gesture directed at Spike Lee in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals, and Miller’s incredible eight points in nine seconds to keep the Pacers alive in the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals are among the memorable moments from their intense matchups over the years. In addition, basketball history will never forget Larry Johnson’s incredible four-point play that helped the Knicks win the 1999 Eastern Conference Finals.
Starts
Tyrese Haliburton, a point guard for the Pacers, led the team to an outstanding regular-season record of 20.1 points, 10.9 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in 69 games. He made about eight three-pointers a game, with a shooting percentage of 48% from the field and 36% from beyond the arc.
But Haliburton was dealt a blow in January when he was forced to miss many games due to a hamstring injury he sustained during a drive against Boston. His three-point percentage was 40% prior to the injury, and he also averaged an impressive 12.5 assists a game. His three-point percentage has decreased to 32% after his comeback, and he now only averages 9.5 assists per game. Haliburton was still a dangerous opponent in spite of his injury. In three games this season versus the Knicks, he averaged 19.7 points, 13.3 assists, and four rebounds.
The game between Haliburton and Jalen Brunson of New York tonight is highly anticipated and is expected to be an entertaining show for basketball fans. With a series average of 35.5 points and nine assists versus Philadelphia, Brunson is probably looking forward to playing against a defense that might be a little weaker.
Shooting guard Andrew Nembhard has been a consistent force this season, maintaining solid averages of 9.2 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.1 rebounds across 68 games. His efficiency shines with a 50% shooting accuracy from the field and a 36% success rate from three-point range, attempting 2.5 shots per game. Against the Knicks, he stepped up, averaging 10.3 points, five assists, and three rebounds in three matchups. Tonight, he joins forces with Donte DiVincenzo, who averaged 12 points against the Sixers, shooting 36% from beyond the arc.
Small forward Aaron Nesmith, standing tall at 6’5″ and 215 lbs, contributed significantly with 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 72 games this season. Nesmith’s sharpshooting prowess is evident, connecting on an impressive 42% of his 4.6 three-point attempts per game. He faces off against Josh Hart, who boasted an impressive double-double average of 16.8 points and 12.3 rebounds against Philly.
Power forward Pascal Siakam, now with the Indiana Pacers after his tenure with the Toronto Raptors, has made waves, averaging 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in 41 games for his new team. His impact is notable, although OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa may pose challenges in neutralizing him. Siakam has historically performed well against the Knicks, averaging 19.2 points and 6.8 rebounds in 24 games.
Center Myles Turner has displayed versatility, averaging 17.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks this season. His ability to stretch the floor adds depth to his game, hitting 36% of his 4.5 three-point attempts per game. Against the Knicks, Turner has averaged 14.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks in 27 games. Tonight, he faces off against Isaiah Hartenstein, expected to provide a formidable challenge.
Bench-wise, the Pacers welcome back Obi Toppin, who played all 82 games this season, averaging 10.3 points and 3.9 rebounds. Despite lacking a commanding presence, point guard T.J. McConnell has been a nuisance for both teams, scoring 16 points in eighteen minutes in their last encounter.
As for the Knicks, coach Tom Thibodeau faces challenges with a thin bench. Guard Miles McBride impressed with his shooting, hitting 43% from long range on five attempts per game, averaging 11.3 points and 23.4 minutes in the Philadelphia series. Mitchell Robinson, despite an ankle injury, contributed valuable minutes, averaging 7.8 rebounds in five of the six first-round games. And there’s the emerging presence of Precious Achiuwa to consider.
