New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers: Conference Finals Preview

The Eastern Conference Finals is finally set between longtime playoff rivals as the star-studded New York Knicks square off against the underdog Indiana Pacers, in what is predicted to be another classic between these two storied franchises. The Knicks enter the series fresh off dispatching the reigning champion Boston Celtics in a grueling six-game series. The Pacers come in following their upset of the first-seeded Cleveland Cavaliers in a dominating five-game series. Let’s examine what each brings to this latest playoff match-up and see who has the best chance of punching their ticket to the NBA finals.

Star Power versus Depth

There aren’t many teams that possess the same level of star power as the Knicks, and it’s one of the reasons they’ve made it this far. The offseason trade for five-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns has been a godsend for New York, as the Knicks center is averaging 20 points and 11 rebounds so far this postseason. The late-game heroics of Jalen Brunson have also catalyzed the Knicks’ postseason success. The Clutch Player of the Year averages 29 points and eight assists per game, providing a potent offensive punch for a defensive-minded Knicks team.

The Indiana Pacers, on the other hand, have focused on a more balanced approach this postseason. While Pacers superstar Tyrese Haliburton can carry the scoring load, his playmaking and excellent understanding of tempo have also allowed the Pacers’ supporting cast to flourish. Indiana is a team filled with 3-and-D players at every position, which is one of the core reasons why Indiana is the number one-ranked offense in the playoffs. The variety of offense options also allows Indiana to remain within striking distance in any game, even if players like Haliburton are struggling.

The X-Factors

Outside of the stars for both teams, each squad also possesses tremendously talented role-players who can provide that extra boost their respective teams need to take home a win. For the Knicks, Josh Hart and Mitchell Robinson are the two players who jump out. Hart acts as the Swiss army knife for the Knicks, able to rebound, defend, and pass at a high level to plug any holes that may come up in a game. Robinson’s offensive rebounding and rim-protecting skills help mask the deficiencies on the defensive end for Karl-Anthony Towns.

As for the Pacers, the secondary scoring of Pascal Siakam and sharpshooting from Andrew Nembhard are two weapons Indiana utilizes very well. Siakam is currently averaging an efficient 19 points per game in the postseason, with Nembhard shooting a scorching 50% from the three-point line. If Indiana wants to continue their march towards their first-ever championship, both players must keep up their excellent play.

The Coaching Match-up

Perhaps the most evenly matched position between these two teams. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau bring a Hall of Fame resume coming into the series. While the players for each coach’s respective team still play a role in determining who wins games, this coaching clash will likely determine who wins the series. Coach Carlisle has done a phenomenal job at maximizing his players’ abilities and crafting a rotation that allows the Pacers to be versatile no matter the lineup on the floor.

As for Coach Thibodeau, his defensive-minded philosophy and ability to consistently get the best out of his core group of players are two great strengths that have led the Knicks to success during his tenure. The only issue for Thibodeau is his reluctance to give his bench much playing time and give his starters a heavy amount of minutes. All five starters on the Knicks are averaging over 35 minutes per game in the playoffs, with key players like OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges over 40 minutes per game. This lack of trust in the bench could spell doom for the Knicks against a much deeper team like Indiana.

Final Thoughts and Prediction

This series will likely come down to which team executes in the clutch on a game-to-game basis. Both teams have an innate ability to claw back into a game at any moment, which will make for an exciting and close series. My prediction for the series will be that the Indiana Pacers will put away the Knicks in six games. The Pacers have the depth and talent to overcome the Knicks’ star power, and that is why I think Indiana will advance to their first NBA finals since 2000.