In Game 3 on Sunday, the Indiana Pacers blew a 20-point lead to the New York Knicks, allowing them to get back in the Eastern Conference Finals. The Pacers bounced back in Game 4, defending their home court and winning 130-121.
The Pacers take a commanding 3-1 lead before the series shifts back to New York. The Pacers are 2-2 in Madison Square Garden between the regular season and playoffs, but are a perfect 2-0 in the playoffs.
Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam led the charge for Indiana, scoring 32 and 30 points, respectively. The Knicks enjoyed 30 points from Jalen Brunson, although Haliburton's well-rounded game showed that he was the much better player.
In addition to his 32 points, Haliburton offered 12 rebounds, 15 assists, and four steals, on top of zero turnovers. He set NBA records for both the best half and quarter in playoff history, and recorded his third career triple-double, the second in his postseason career.
Along with Haliburton's stellar play, the Pacers' second unit was exceptional, led by Bennedict Mathurin's 20 points. He shot a solid five-of-eight from the floor, bouncing back after scoring nine, zero, and two points in the first three games.
For the second game in a row, Rick Carlisle opted to play Tony Bradley instead of Thomas Bryant. Bradley did not stuff the stat sheet, making only a single shot and grabbing one rebound, although his defense helped limit Mitchell Robinson and contain Karl-Anthony Towns, who followed up his 20-point fourth quarter in Game 3 with 24 points in Game 4, although it wasn't enough for the Knicks.
The Pacers will look to close New York out in the Garden in Game 5 on Thursday, setting the stage for their first Finals appearance since Reggie Miller led them against the Kobe and Shaq Lakers in 2000.
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