The New York Knicks’ title dreams live on! In Game 5 of the series against the Indiana Pacers, the Knickerbockers secured their first home win and can now hope to become the 14th team in NBA history to come back from a 1-3 deficit.
After losing both home games to Indiana in Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks got their revenge. It was bitterly needed: Game 5 was a do-or-die game for New York. And the team delivered: Led by Jalen Brunson, the Knicks led the action at all times.
Right from the start, it was star player Brunson (32, 12/18) who took control. He scored 14 of New York’s 27 points in the opening quarter. In the second quarter, co-star Karl-Anthony Towns (24/13) took over with twelve points in the quarter.
The Pacers, on the other hand, struggled to get their fast-paced game going. New York was particularly alert in its fast-break defense and managed to keep Indiana’s shooting percentage well below 40 percent (37.5 percent). As a result, the Knicks led by eleven points at the break (56:45).
Haliburton not a factor this time
There was no comeback from the visitors after the break. Once again, it was Brunson who nipped any hopes of a comeback by Indiana in the bud (16 points in the third quarter). This was also due to the fact that New York completely shut down Indiana’s stars this time around. Tyrese Haliburton, who had impressed with a triple-double in Game 4, couldn’t get past eight points and six assists this time. The Pacers’ top scorer was Bennedict Mathurin with 23 off the bench.
With a 17-point lead at the start of the final quarter, the game was already over. Brunson caused euphoria when he started chanting “Knicks in 7,” which then echoed through the sold-out Madison Square Garden (19,812 spectators) for minutes.
The Indiana Pacers still hold the lead in the series (3-2). Coach Rick Carlisle’s team has the next match point on Sunday night (2 a.m.).
