The New York Knicks will travel to Indiana to try to get on the board in this stellar Eastern Conference Finals series. The Knicks dropped the first two games at home as the Pacers proved to be the better and more clutch team throughout the first two games.
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The Knicks entered the series as the favorite, but the odds have been against them thus far, and it won't get any easier for New York in these next two games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
The Pacers escaped Madison Square Garden with two wins, and their most recent win on Friday was yet another thriller. Indiana came away with a 2-0 series lead with a 114-109 win in Game 2.
Although Jalen Brunson was a man possessed, recording 36 points on an efficient 13-of-27 shooting from the field, Pacers star Pascal Siakam was just as good or even better, recording 39 points on 15-of-23 shooting from the field, along with five rebounds and three assists.
Siakam started the game strong and had help from the other four starters, as they all scored in double figures. While the win in Game 2 was nice, the focus now shifts to Game 3 and how these teams will look to get the upper hand on each other.
The Pacers have the edge in front of their home crowd on Sunday, as New York enters as the slight underdogs.
The Knicks proved to be a strong road team this season, finishing with a 24-17 record away from Madison Square Garden. Meanwhile, the Pacers thrived at home, posting an impressive 29-11 mark in front of their fans.
Both teams understand this series is far from decided. In last year's Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Knicks jumped out to a 2-0 lead, only for the Pacers to storm back and win four of the next five games to take the series.
That experience isn't lost on Indiana. Head coach Rick Carlisle and his squad know all too well the importance of maintaining intensity and not letting up-especially against a resilient New York team.
"You cannot assume going home is going to be easier. It never is," Carlisle said. "Each game as you ascend in a playoff series becomes harder. New York, they've got an amazing fighting spirit."
Although the Pacers are at home and will have the crowd to feed off, the Knicks will play with their hair on fire and get on the board this series.
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This story was originally published May 25, 2025 at 2:08 PM.