The Indiana Pacers are halfway to an NBA title opportunity, having secured a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals by defeating the New York Knicks 114-109. Pascal Siakam shined with a playoff career-high of 39 points, leading the team ahead of Game 3, set for Sunday in Indiana. The Pacers have enjoyed success on the road, winning six consecutive games since the first round.
Siakam’s impressive performance included going 15 for 23 from the field, while Myles Turner and Tyrese Haliburton contributed 16 and 14 points, respectively. Coach Rick Carlisle praised Siakam’s impact, especially during challenging moments in the game.
The Knicks struggled, despite Jalen Brunson’s strong showing with 36 points and 11 assists. While their defense improved compared to their 138-135 overtime loss in Game 1, they fell short in scoring, particularly at crucial moments in the fourth quarter. Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 20 points for New York; however, Towns had limited playing time as the coach opted for a more defensively adept rotation.
The fourth quarter began with a tie at 81, but the Pacers surged with a quick 13-4 run, propelled by Siakam’s three-pointer. The Knicks managed to narrow the gap late in the game, yet could not complete the comeback. Aaron Nesmith sealed the win for the Pacers with free throws after Brunson missed a crucial three-point shot.
This rivalry matchup marked their 50th playoff encounter, and the Pacers currently lead the series 28-22. The game was marked by a blend of offensive bursts and defensive tenacity, reminiscent of their encounters during the 1990s.
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