The Pacers’ Unstoppable Offense Rolls on; Knicks Face Mountain to Climb in ECF

Pacers Out-Execute Knicks, Take 2-0 Series Lead

NEW YORK — The Indiana Pacers proved in Game 2 that they’re more than just comeback Kids. In a game that lacked the dramatic finish of the series opener, Indiana dominated the New York Knicks, 114-109, to take a commanding 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pascal Siakam led the charge with a playoff career-high 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting. The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson led all scorers with 36 points and 11 assists but fell short in the final seconds.

The Pacers have now won six straight road playoff games and boast the league’s best offense in the postseason. Game 3 tips off Sunday (8 p.m. ET, TNT) in Indianapolis.

Pacers’ Offense on Fire

Despite the Knicks ranking higher in offensive efficiency during the regular season, the Pacers’ offense has been the toughest to guard in the playoffs.

Through two games, Indiana is scoring at a pace (126.6 points per 100 possessions) that would rank second-best in the final four in the past 29 years, according to play-by-play data.

The Pacers’ ball movement and player movement have been key factors in their success. They lead the playoffs in passes and miles traveled per 24 minutes of possession.

Transition Game Keeps Knicks at Bay

The Pacers’ relentless attack in transition has been a critical difference-maker in the series. According to Synergy tracking, Indiana has outscored the Knicks 51-26 in transition points over the first two games.

The Knicks have struggled to defend in transition due to breakdowns like leaving a man under the basket unguarded while helping on the perimeter.

Siakam Shines in Game 2

Pascal Siakam’s 39-point performance in Game 2 was a clinic in efficient scoring. The veteran forward scored efficiently against multiple defenders and keyed the Pacers’ offense with 10 transition points.

Siakam is one of only two rotation players remaining in the playoffs with championship experience (2019 Raptors); the other is Alex Caruso (2020 Lakers).

Pacers Attack Brunson to Create Opportunities

The Pacers found success in the second half of Game 2 by attacking Jalen Brunson with pick-and-roll actions designed to get him switched onto a ball-handler. This led to open shots for Myles Turner and a crucial pull-up three from Tyrese Haliburton.

Expect the Pacers to continue exploiting matchups with Brunson in Game 3 and beyond.

Bench Rotation Shuffled as Pacers Look for More Contributors

Despite playing their reserves more than the Knicks, the Pacers’ bench has struggled to match its opponent’s production. In Game 2, Coach Rick Carlisle shuffled the rotation, benching Bennedict Mathurin and Thomas Bryant in favor of Ben Sheppard and Tony Bradley.

The Pacers will need more than just their starters to continue their playoff run. Said Coach Carlisle, “We’re a team that needs everybody. That’s how we gotta play.”

Did you know?

• The Pacers lead all playoff teams in passes (2,339) and miles traveled per 24 minutes of possession (7.22).
• Tyrese Haliburton is averaging 17.8 points and 9.7 assists in the Pacers’ six consecutive road playoff wins.
• Jalen Brunson is the first player in NBA history to average at least 35 points and 10 assists in his team’s first two games of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pro tip:

Keep an eye on the Pacers’ ball movement and pace as they continue to attack the Knicks’ defense. Their ability to move the ball and get quality shots will be crucial to maintaining their series lead.

Reader question:

Can the Knicks get back into the series, or are the Pacers simply too strong on offense?

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Stay tuned for more updates on the Eastern Conference Finals as the Pacers and Knicks continue their intense battle!