Pacers Dominate Knicks to Even Up Series at 2-2
After winning Game Three, the Indiana Pacers routed the New York Knicks 121-89, on Sunday afternoon at Gainbridge Fieldhouse as they even up this Eastern Conference Semifinals series at two games apiece. After three games that went down to the wire, game four was a lopsided affair. For the second straight game, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle assigned Aaron Nesmith as the primary defender on Jalen Brunson. The Villanova trio of Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart combined for just 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. They combined to shoot 10-36 from the field. Nesmith has held Brunson to nine of 27 shooting over the last two games.
Tyrese Haliburton hit a side-step three-pointer at the end of the first half as the Pacers commanded a 28-point lead. Haliburton scored a team-high 20 points, six rebounds, and dished out five assists. Pascal Siakam added 14 points and 4 rebounds. TJ McConnell contributed a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists off the bench. The Pacers kept their foot on the gas in the second half, as an Obi Toppin slam dunk erupted the crowd late in the third quarter. The Pacers took their largest lead of the game of 43 points on a Jalen Smith three-pointer early in the fourth quarter. Indiana shot 14-31, a solid 45 percent from three-point range while the Knicks shot 19 percent going 7-37.
“We did our job,” Haliburton said in the postgame interview. “We got to go get one in Game Five.” The series shifts back to New York for a pivotal game five, Tuesday at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST. Who will take this pivotal Game Five in New York? The winner of this Game Five matchup will most likely go on and win the series. Which team will have what it takes?
