The New York Knicks dominated the Indiana Pacers, winning by 30 points to avenge a blowout loss in game four. New York is one game away from the ECF.
The New York Knicks crushed the Indiana Pacers 121-91, avenging their blowout loss in Indiana and taking a 3-2 lead in the second round of the NBA playoffs.
The Knicks looked angry from the start, and Jalen Brunson looked healthier. That combination, along with the inclusion of Deuce McBride in the starting lineup, pushed New York to a 38-point first quarter. The Pacers fought back but faded as the Knicks’ defensive intensity grew in the second quarter.
As the game got away from Indiana, the Pacers got chippy. Isaiah Jackson and Isaiah Hartenstein were involved in a second-quarter scuffle. Then Myles Turner kept things interesting in the third quarter, first by hitting three consecutive three-pointers and next by scuffling with Donte DiVincenzo as the game began to get away from Indiana again.
The Knicks handled business and erased any confidence the Pacers had coming from Game Four. Let’s look at each player’s contributions to the win.
The Knicks’ starters get the Brunson Burner back
Jalen Brunson: 44 PTS (18/35 FG, 2/6 3PT, 6/7 FT), 7 AST, 4 REB, 3 TO in 43 mins
Jalen Brunson looked much better getting around the court and hitting his shots. I still noticed his bad foot sliding on him after a few hop steps, but he looked increasingly comfortable as the game wore on. The Pacers couldn’t bump Brunson off-balance as easily, meaning he could get to his spots to attack at will.
Brunson’s ability to score in the paint is always dazzling. He finished difficult shots through contact or quick-release floaters at the rim. With his base stronger, Brunson could explode past defenders and pivot more quickly, leading to one crossover that made Aaron Nesmith fall. New York’s MVP dominated enough to force Indiana into hard double-teams before the third quarter was over.
Even with Indiana doubling at half-court, Brunson continued to score. He made smart passes and worked off-ball to get to open spots. The Knicks’ star finished with an unstoppable 44 points and seven assists, mainly to shooters. Brunson gets another 5 out of 5 for absolutely dominating the action.
Miles McBride: 17 PTS (7/15 FG, 3/7 3PT), 4 AST, 1 REB, 1 TO in 40 mins
Miles McBride got the start in a small-ball lineup and immediately made his presence felt. He knocked down threes to stretch the floor and helped New York keep up with the speedy Indiana counterattacks. But Deuce wasn’t resigned to jump shots and did some of his best work by getting into the lane off the dribble or with backdoor cuts.
More important than his scoring boost, McBride gave New York a pressure-defender on Tyrese Haliburton from the opening tip. I’ll admit that part of Haliburton’s vanishing acts in the Garden appear mental, but let’s not ignore McBride’s impact. He made it tough for Haliburton to break free for easy looks and broke any rhythm Indiana’s “star” might get into.
Deuce also gave the Knicks an additional tertiary playmaker. The ball movement from the starters looked tremendous, as all five players are willing passers and smart cutters. McBride’s entry into the starting line-up feels like a series-changing move, and he gets a 4 out of 5 for locking up and outscoring Haliburton.
Donte DiVincenzo: 8 PTS (4/14 FG, 0/6 3PT), 4 AST, 7 REB, 3 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 30 mins
Donte DiVincenzo had a bad shooting game, but not a bad game. The Pacers worked hard to chase DiVo off the three-point line, disrupting his rhythm and keeping him from ever making a three. But DiVincenzo responded off the dribble, attacking the rim to mixed results while chipping in a handful of dimes off kickouts.
But DiVincenzo’s impact appeared in his defense and some timely plays. He frustrated the Pacers ball-handlers, fighting through screens and picking up three steals. The Big Ragu also drew offensive fouls, some of which led to altercations, but he never backed down. DiVincenzo played bigger than his position, grabbing seven boards, including a highlight reel putback that started Indiana’s final slide from competing.
DiVo’s had back-to-back woeful shooting nights. But his work everywhere else helped make up for the struggles this time. We know DiVincenzo won’t stay cold for long, so I suspect a shooting explosion is approaching. The Big Ragu gets a 2.5 out of 5, though his postgame interview would have earned him a 3 if I could count it.
Josh Hart: 18 PTS (7/16 FG, 2/7 3PT, 2/2 FT), 3 AST, 11 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 3 TO in 39 mins
Josh Hart continues to sit wide open above the break, receiving passes with too much space to do anything but shoot. Yet he turned in a fantastic game despite missing most of his three-point attempts. This is why I keep saying that Hart HAS to shoot. He made just two of his seven attempts from three, but the threat to shoot created seams for him to attack.
Hart constantly got into the heart of the defense. The energizer killed Indiana in transition and added a few more field goals by driving right into the space defenders gave him. He showed hesitance early on, which led to turnovers, but things changed as soon as he began to act decisively.
Hart also keyed New York’s defensive rebounding while playing elite defense on Pascal Siakam. It’s incredible to watch someone force an all-start like Siakam to fight for every basket while leading his team in defensive rebounds and pushing the pace the opposite way. Hart is a special player, unlike any other guard I can recall, which is worth a 4.5 out of 5 in this game.
Isaiah Hartenstein: 7 PTS (2/3 FG, 3/4 FT), 5 AST, 17 REB, 1 BLK, 1 TO in 31 mins
Isaiah Hartenstein set the tone for the night by slamming home a monstrous putback. I-Hart would continue to dominate the offensive glass, tying Charles Oakley for the Knicks’ record 12 offensive rebounds in a game. By comparison, Indiana’s leading rebounder grabbed eight boards overall.
Hartenstein didn’t only crush the Pacers on the offensive glass. He scored or drew fouls on a handful of looks inside and picked the defense apart with passing throughout the action. Myles Turner couldn’t hedge or double Brunson aggressively without Hartenstein making Indiana pay.
This was also Big Hart’s best defensive effort in a while. Hartenstein couldn’t stop Turner from making three-pointers, but he kept the Pacers’ big man’s offense stuck on the perimeter. Hartenstein gets a 4.5 out of 5 for controlling the middle of the floor at both ends.
New York’s second unit has two big contributors
Alec Burks: 18 PTS (6/11 FG, 5/8 3PT, 1/2 FT), 5 REB in 23 mins
Alec Burks continues to shine when the lights are brightest. He knocked down shot after shot, providing the spacing that DiVincenzo normally does. When Burks pairs with Brunson, he can float on the perimeter and find open space to fire. Ironically, the bench shooter’s best play came on a move off the dribble.
Burks gave the Knicks’ second unit a needed scoring punch. Indiana’s bench received praise for dominating the series early, but Burks has helped curb that advantage. Suddenly, the Knicks’ bench has a reliable double-digit scorer to spell the starting wings.
I complained about the defensive drawbacks of playing MJ Burks too long. But he made me eat crow this time. Burks defended with extra effort, particularly on TJ McConnell’s attempts to bump his way into fadeaway jumpers inside. This version of Alec Burks could play extended minutes if needed, and he gets a 3 out of 5 for the effort.
Precision Achiuwa: 4 PTS (2/6 FG, 0/1 3PT), 2 AST, 5 REB, 2 STL, 2 BLK in 23 mins
Precious Achiuwa didn’t score efficiently, but it hardly mattered. Precious’ impact came on the defensive end, first and foremost! His mobility ate into the efficacy of Indiana’s five-out approach. Achiuwa blew up multiple plays simply by rotating fast and hard to a would-be shooter.
Achiuwa’s ball denial might sneak by viewers who focus on the ball. I caught him battling with Pascal Siakam throughout his minutes, refusing to allow Siakam to receive the ball in his comfortable spots on the floor. Keep an eye on how Precious’ off-ball defense takes options away from ball-handlers next game.
While Achiuwa’s numbers don’t fly off the sheet, his two steals and two blocks are the most essential tallies to note. The Knicks’ defense didn’t skip a beat when Precious replaced Hartenstein, and he even looked okay in spot minutes at power forward. Achiuwa gets a 3 out of 5 for giving the bench a defensive presence.
Tom Thibodeau makes a key change and reaps the benefits
I spent the previous two recaps asking for a change to the starting lineup. Tom Thibodeau made the change I was hoping for. Thibs moved Deuce McBride into the starting lineup, and McBride provided the energy and defense I expected.
Speaking of energy, I’m not sure Thibodeau had to do much to motivate his players. Brunson, Hart, and Hartenstein showed up with fire from the opening tip. I don’t think they smiled even after the win was secured. This team is focused and feels like a reflection of their coach.
Closing Thoughts:
To quote Mike Breen, “and just like that,” the Knicks are one game away from the Eastern Conference Finals. Since February, it’s felt like everyone is waiting for injuries and fatigue to catch up to the Knicks. I’ve often bought into the concerns, but this team has responded every time.
As you watch national pundits speak about the Knicks’ minutes or complain about the refs, remember that they don’t get to watch as much New York basketball as we do. This is new to them, but we’ve seen this team do it all year. They’re never down for long; if they get hit, they’ll punch back.
New York’s on the verge of the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since Patrick Ewing, and it’s tough to imagine these Knicks failing even when their backs are against the wall. They’ve shown us who they are all season; they’re winners!
The Knicks get a chance to close the series on Friday, but no one’s beaten Indiana at home in this postseason yet. If New York starts strong, they can pressure Indiana into fading. I’ll see you next time, Knicks fam!
