Pacers Face Knicks, Timberwolves Battle Nuggets in Pair of Pivotal Game Fives

A pair of pivotal game fives is set for Tuesday evening as the Pacers-Knicks series shifts back to New York and the Timberwolves-Nuggets series heads back to Denver. The Pacers won Game Four against the Knicks at home while the Nuggets won Game Four on the road in Minnesota as they evened up their respective series.

Knicks-Pacers:

Indiana may have found an answer to slowing down Jalen Brunson. Ever since Aaron Nesmith became the primary defender on Brunson in game three, Brunson has shot under 40 percent in both Games Three and Four. Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo had their worst outing in Game Four, scoring just nine points combined. Can they bounce back to their hot shooting or will they fall back to Earth and back to their averages? Tyrese Haliburton, the league leader in assists per game, has been aggressive with his shot since taking only six shots in Game One. An aggressive Haliburton helps set the offensive tone for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner have been steadily consistent on the offensive end for the Pacers.

Nuggets-Timberwolves:

After combining to go 8-31 from the field in Game Two, Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic’s lethal two-man game found their rhythm once again. It’s tough for defenses to pick their poison when Murray and Jokic can make shots from anywhere against any coverages while also not having many options to choose who to help off of. The Timberwolves top-ranked defense in the NBA contained Jokic in Games One and Two; since then Jokic has figured them out. It will be interesting to see if the Timberwolves let Jokic go get his and stop everyone else. Or if they want to throw more coverages at Jokic and try to slow him down.

X-factors Nuggets Timberwolves:

One of the adjustments the Nuggets have made is moving Aaron Gordon from the dunker spot to the three-point line. Gordon scored 27 points, missing just one shot in Game Four, making the Timberwolves pay for leaving him open. Anthony Edwards has recorded a pair of 40-point performances in this series, and he will need some help from his robin, Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns took seven shots in Game Three and went 5-18 from the field in Game Four. He will have to have a more efficient scoring output and provide Edwards with help on the offensive end. 

X-factors Knicks-Pacers

An excellent on-ball defender who picks up 94 feet, TJ McConnell’s scoring punch off the bench will be an x-factor for the Pacers. He has a nice patent go-to jumper in the paint that can give the Pacers a spark plug. Isaiah Hartenstein hitting floaters out of the short roll can give the Knicks an edge when Brunson sees multiple bodies. 

Game Five Score/Predictions:

Timberwolves defeat Nuggets 115-107

Pacers defeat Knicks 96-92