The Indiana Pacers tied up the conference semi-finals series against the New York Knicks at 2-2 behind a dominant performance on both ends with a final score of 121-89. The Pacers ran away with this one early and never let the game get close.
“At the end of the day, we took care of business and won two games at home,” said Tyrese Haliburton (A), who led the team with 20 points. “We understand the magnitude of game five and we have to be prepared.”
The Pacers came out in the first quarter and landed the first punch and the second and the third … you get the idea. It was 34-14 after the opening quarter with the Pacers making 14 of their first 20 shot attempts and the Knicks looking as tired as a Snorlax on Route 12 making just 5 of their first 20 shots.
Nearly every jump shot was falling short for New York while Indiana was making contested step-back 3-pointers with two defenders contesting the shot even on the rare possession where they did not get a good look on offense. After so many insanely close games, it was the exact type of win any Pacers fan with heart problems probably was hoping for— a thorough ass-kicking that left zero doubt from the opening few possessions.
And credit to the Pacers, they never let their foot come off the gas pedal. The Knicks never made any kind of run.
“Our mentality was that we were down 20,” Myles Turner (A) said after the game while mentioning how fast leads can disappear in the NBA these days.
Turner didn’t miss a shot (5 for 5) no matter how difficult on his way to 13 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal in 26 minutes. His defensive effort over the last couple games received praise from Coach Carlisle and teammates.
“Even when Myles isn’t scoring at some kind of clip that may at times be expected, he gives us a physical presence that we need, especially against New York,” Carlisle stated. “New York is a very physical team with Hartenstein and Achiuwa out there to start of the game. He held his ground very well at the start of this game tonight. He did get three blocks. The chase-down block he had at the end of the last game made all the difference here.”
Turner has six blocks in the last two games including the best one of his playoff career and one of the biggest blocks in Pacers playoff history behind Roy Hibbert’s block against Carmelo Anthony and the Knicks.
The Pacers defense as a whole had what likely was their best night of the entire season. While you can put some of the Knicks shooting struggles on tired legs or a simple regression to the mean, the Pacers also did a much better job of making every look as difficult as possible, especially when compared to the first two games. The Knicks Villanova trio of Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart have been mostly able to get what the want offensively in the series but in game four Brunson went 6 for 17, DiVincenzo 3 for 13, and Josh Hart just 1 for 6. Only 27 points combined is incredible for the defense after two of them had outscored that number on average in the first three games of the series.
“DiVincenzo is a great player. He’s had monster games throughout the playoffs, throughout the season,” Carlisle said. “In the first couple games, we didn’t treat him like he was a great player. The urgency to take away—forget about shots, but touches (wasn’t there). The guy makes a lot of things happen.”
Brunson made no excuses after the game and was off of the injury report completely but his jump shot hasn’t been the same since game two and Aaron Nesmith’s (A) physicality and some extra length has seemed to make it a little more difficult for him.
“Our disposition was great. Obviously we had a game plan and executed it,” Turner said. “But I think it was a commitment by all of us tonight to go out there and really defend by committee. Guarding guys like Brunson, it’s not a one-man job. He’s a spectacular player, but we had to make sure we all come together and chip in.”
Nesmith struggled with his outside shot again (0 for 4) but made all four of his 2-point attempts and grabbed 12 rebounds in 24 minutes. The starters for the Pacers only missed three shots combined inside the arc the entire night (20 for 23).
Haliburton had the highest plus/minus at +31 and was once again aggressive in looking for openings and getting downhill when necessary. He was loudly talking shit once again to DiVincenzo who this time was unable to match the shot-making. One 3-pointer at the end of the first half was a deep step-back that barely hit the net as it went in.
Before the game he was questionable yet again but this time with three ailments instead of just the back spasms as he had a bruised tailbone and a sprained ankle from plays in the fourth quarter of game three. He gave a lot of praise to the medical staff after the game and the blowout was probably just what his body needed to get a little extra rest with the constant games every other day so far this series.
The bench, who struggled for the first time in the series in game three, were back to providing the energetic boost on the floor and the scoreboard showed how large of a boost it was as the first three off the bench were all at least +21 on the night. TJ McConnell (A) scored 15 points and added 10 assists, making a pair of 3-pointers that defenders dared him to take, along with his usual drives inside for tough contested layups and mid-range shots. The Pacers outscored the Knicks by 27 in his minutes.
“Just his energy,” Tyrese Haliburton on what McConnell brought tonight. “When he checks in, there’s not many people in the NBA better at doing what he does, and that’s bringing energy off the bench. His energy is just contagious and everybody kind of flows off of that.”
“T.J.’s one of our leaders,” Turner said. “He’s really taken it upon himself to lead that second unit. He took full ownership for what happened last game. It’s very rare that that does happen. But I think he came out with a great spirit tonight and led those guys.”
Obi Toppin (A) soared for alley oops including a reverse where he added a little flair on his way to 14 points in 18 minutes as he continues to try and get revenge on his former team. +21
Ben Sheppard (B) got a ton of praise from teammates for his contributions during the playoffs so far as a rookie. While he didn’t hit many threes today (1 for 5), he wasn’t afraid to put them up. Something his teammates had to get on him about when he first started getting minutes.
“Early in the year, there were a lot of games where he wouldn’t even look at the basket,” Haliburton said of the rookie. “I think we’ve kind of bullied him into looking at the hoop which has been good to see but I’m just excited for him to play the right way and for his growth moving forward.”
TJ McConnell, who has a close relationship with Sheppard, highlighted his maturity, energy, and shooting that he brings to the table. Myles Turner highlighted how his expectations for him have been exceeded in the playoffs already and how the “lights haven’t been too bright for him.”
Sheppard finished with 6 points and 7 rebounds as the first player off the bench for Indiana in Game 4. +21
The hero of game three Andrew Nembhard (A) was only needed for 21 minutes in this game and added 9 points (4 of 5) and 5 assists. This was probably his best game on defense in terms of getting some missed shots on contests against Brunson and did well against DiVincenzo as well.
Pascal Siakam (A) took advantage of every opportunity he had without OG Anunoby around to guard him. He made 7 of his 9 shot attempts for 14 points and played only 22 minutes. Also shout-out to him for the big 7 of 9 from the FT line performance in the previous game. Much needed and good to see with how much he has struggled at the line.
Isaiah Jackson (B) is the only one Pacers player that had some minutes before the fourth quarter. He had an insane tip-dunk attempt that would have blown the roof off the fieldhouse and did his energy big thing yet again: 10 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals. Jarace Walker got some more minutes at point guard in garbage time and continued to show flashes of his superb passing feel. He threw a lob to Jackson out of a pick and roll where he didn’t rush, stayed at his pace, and waited until the exact moment to put it up in the air for him. He’s going to be very good for the Pacers next season.
They went into halftime up 28 and led after three quarters by a massive 38 points (101-63). Pat McAfee, likely asked before the game if he would hype up the crowd to start the fourth quarter, still got the frenzied crowd pumped up before final quarter as both teams quickly emptied their benches. The Knicks finished this game making only 30 of 89 shots (33.7%) and just 7 of their 37 from deep (18.9%) while the Pacers had shooting splits of 56.8/45.2/87.5.
The Pacers defense still struggled to avoid whistles as the Knicks attempted 31 free throws to Indiana’s 8 and there was a stretch late second quarter where the team could not stop jumping on pump fakes and gave up easy calls and open looks often. Overall, they played with force and physicality that they need but staying disciplined will be paramount for the remainder of the series if they want to advance. Just 2 wins away now from the conference finals. Game 5 on Tuesday back in NYC.
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