The Indiana Pacers have secured their second-ever spot in the NBA Finals, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder. Their victory over the New York Knicks in a six-game Eastern Conference finals series was defined by their high-tempo style, precise shooting, and strengthened defense.
A key factor in their series-clinching win was balanced scoring. After a Game 5 where only one starter scored in double digits, Game 6 saw all five starters and seven players in total achieve this feat. The team's ball movement was exceptional, leading to 30 assists, with Tyrese Haliburton contributing 13. This unselfish play contrasted sharply with the previous game's 20 total assists.
Defensively, Andrew Nembhard's determined guarding of Knicks star Jalen Brunson was pivotal, limiting Brunson's effectiveness and contributing to Nembhard's six steals. Additionally, backup center Thomas Bryant provided a crucial spark off the bench, scoring 11 points in just 13 minutes, with eight of those coming in the decisive third quarter.
The Knicks' performance was marred by significant issues. They committed 18 turnovers, which the Pacers converted into 34 points, often through fast breaks. New York's transition defense struggled to contain Indiana's speed, resulting in a 25-10 scoring advantage for the Pacers in transition. Furthermore, the Knicks' perimeter defense was ineffective, allowing Indiana to shoot an impressive 51.5% from three-point range, creating a 24-point advantage from beyond the arc.
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