Round 2: New York Knicks @ Indiana Pacers 8:30 pm 5/17/2024 [Game #6]

rady

Administrator
Staff member

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(50-32) -- (47-35)



NBA PLAYOFFS 2024 ROUND 2
Knicks lead series 3 - 2


Venue
TV
TIME
Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
ESPN
8:30 PM EST




Probable starters:


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Injury Report



New York KnicksIndiana Pacers
OG Anunoby - Hamstring (OUT)Bennedict Mathurin - Right shoulder surgery (OUT)
Mitchell Robinson - Stress injury on left ankle (OUT)-
Bojan Bogdanovic - Left foot and wrist surgery (OUT)-
Julius Randle - Right shoulder surgery (OUT)-
Duane Washington Jr. - Knee (OUT)-
Charlie Brown - Concussion (OUT)-

Game Preview

The New York Knicks are one victory away from reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000.

New York will be swinging hard to end that drought when it visits the Indiana Pacers for Game 6 of their second-round series on Friday night in Indianapolis.

The second-seeded Knicks hold a 3-2 edge in the series and are certainly confident after pounding the sixth-seeded Pacers 121-91 at home in Game 5.

But they are also cautious, as nothing is guaranteed until the final seconds tick off to signify a fourth win in the series.

"We still need one more win so we can't get too excited about it," Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said. "We have to understand what we need to do, stay focused on the task at hand. If you feel good about yourself you get knocked down in this league. We've got to be ready to go."

New York star guard Jalen Brunson poured in 44 points in Game 5. It was his second 40-point effort in the series and his fifth overall this postseason.

Brunson is averaging 32 points in the series while dealing with a foot injury. He also called on the Knicks to stay grounded.

"I think as a team, no matter what the situation is, we have the same mindset no matter what," Brunson said. "And regardless of how I'm feeling or someone else is feeling, we know what's at stake, we know what we have to do and we're going to figure it out."

Knicks forward OG Anunoby will miss his fourth straight game due to a hamstring injury sustained in Game 2.

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle expects an improved effort with his club facing elimination.

The Pacers were outrebounded 53-29, including 20-5 on the offensive glass, in Game 5. New York possessed a 62-36 edge in points in the paint.

"If we don't get stops and rebounds, our game is not going to look good," Carlisle said. "We're not going to be able to get the ball out, all of our playmakers aren't going to have opportunities to get the ball and attack. If you take the ball out of the net, particularly after free throws and offensive rebounds, you're climbing an uphill battle."

Pacers star guard Tyrese Haliburton wants to see his team execute better and not crumble under the weight of adversity.

"When things are going bad, we just have to do a better job of coming better together as a group," Haliburton said. "I felt we were a little frenzied (in Game 5). ... That starts with me as a leader."

Indiana has been a different team at home with a 5-0 mark in the postseason, including victories by five and 32 in this series.

Of course, the situation will be pressure-packed as the Pacers have to win twice to win the series.

"It's the first elimination game that we've faced," said Carlisle, who is in the third season of his second stint as Indiana coach. "There's always a high level of urgency, but when you face the possibility of the ending of your season, it certainly should be at a fever pitch."

The Knicks have wiggle room but neither Thibodeau nor Brunson want to see the series go back home for a Game 7 on Sunday.

"I think the most important thing is to not get lost in the hyperbole and the distractions and focus and lock into the task at hand, which is winning the game," Thibodeau said. "So put the necessary work into it and don't get lost."

--Field Level Media

(STATS / cbssports.com)
 

Kiyaman

Legend
One win away from the ECF ....
Thanks for Game 6 Thread .. We are a win away from meeting the Celtics Rady !!!

I still believe our last season playoff roster would have gave the 64 win season Boston Celtics a run for the money at being the top winning NBA team in 2023-24 season.
Watching our bench players perform on the next-level this season was great, plus getting us one win away from the ECF .. was OUTSTANDING !!!
Our Bench Players .... Hartenstein, Precious, Hart, McBride gets BIG PROPS !!!
 

Kiyaman

Legend
End of First Quarter .. Knicks 30 - Pacers 29

Brunson & Donte played all 12 min in first Qtr.
McBride 11 points in 10 min
 

mafra

Legend
Brunson 2-13 from the field and 1-4 from FT line. JB made first 2 shots then missed 11 straight.

Knicks are 6-13 from FT line.

Knicks are so afraid of getting their shots blocked they are missing easy looks. They should learn from McConnell to simply shoot ball and not worry about block.

32-21 Indy 3Q… end half 17-5 run (DDV hit 3 at end of 2Q.

61-51 at half. Knicks get a tech FT shot to start second half.

Knicks have no movement on offense. Can’t crack Indy defense. Knicks can’t stop Siakum.
 

rady

Administrator
Staff member
Tuned in with the Knicks leading 43-42. They were then outscored 19-5 before DiVincenzo made a corner three to make it 51-61 at halftime
DiVincenzo and McBride with 15 pts and 3 threes each


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Kiyaman

Legend
Half Time ... Knicks 51 - Pacers 61
McBride 15 pts
Donte 15 pts
And Brunson shot 2-13 FG in first half for 5 pts
 

mafra

Legend
Too often Knicks are looking for fouls when they are in the paint. Not focusing on making shots.

Got nothing from DDV and Burks tonight. Not enough.

Turning off. Season boils down to game 7. At least they give us that… anybody signs up for 1 home game for right to go to Conference Finals. Can’t be upset if they lose either. Too many injuries. Would stink but not invalidate.

Basically, either Brunson scores 40 again and carries Knicks to ECF or brace yourself for humiliation as TH and OBI and Siakum dance around MSG Sunday evening.

Gonna be a nervous weekend.

I’m thinking 50/50. I believe in this team but if OG doesn’t return and Hart-JB playing injured… might fall 1 game short.
 

mafra

Legend
It’s almost like Knicks punted this game bc with the rest they had they looked flat. I wonder if they felt they better served conserving energy and saving it for Game 7… maybe they know OG will return? Who knows. But their offensive output and defensive effort Q2-4 was out of character.
 

mafra

Legend
‪Last time there was a game 7 game at MSG was 1995. Indy won Game 6 to force it… Ewing was 4-15 with 11 points & 10 rebounds. NY 19-28 from FT & lost 107-105. Ewing wanted to dunk ball but bad knee force a finger roll. He missed series over. Time to atone and erase that bad taste‬
 

Kiyaman

Legend
‪Last time there was a game 7 game at MSG was 1995. Indy won Game 6 to force it… Ewing was 4-15 with 11 points & 10 rebounds. NY 19-28 from FT & lost 107-105. Ewing wanted to dunk ball but bad knee force a finger roll. He missed series over. Time to atone and erase that bad taste‬

Wow! You remember that Ewing finger roll that ended the Pacers series, that had our GM trade Starks & Oakley in the offseason for Sprewell scoring & Camby's double-double performance.
The next season, a 8th seed Knicks team goes to the FINALS .....
 
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