Why, We Shall Smile

If this is to be the last stand of these New York Knicks, so be it, but they’re at least putting a show of faith into each other. Taking control of a must-win game at home early, and holding onto it: the formula, at least for one game.

It’s possible we didn’t learn anything about either of the Knicks or the Indiana Pacers, their opponents in these Eastern Conference Finals, from a 111-94 New York victory on Thursday night, allowing New York to breath for at least another two days while still down 3-2 in the series. The Knicks needed to retain their season, and the Pacers had some burn to burn ahead of a likely Finals matchup with reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Another matter for a different pen.

Running with the same dual-big approach that has been in place since Game 3, New York had Karl-Anthony Towns line up north of the increasingly properly-rated Mitchell Robinson, finally a starter at center. The Pacers, meanwhile, have had the same starting five for each game in this series, up to and including Game 1 catalyst Aaron Nesmith, who retains a delicate ankle from an injury earlier int the series.

After turning in a Game 4 triple-double, the first in NBA postseason history to feature 30 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and no turnovers as well as being the first postseason example in the history of the Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton all but no-showed Game 5. The Pacers shot poorly from all over the floor, but, ah, so did the Knicks.

Jalen Brunson led from the front, scoring on the first possession and never relenting. Towns had an especially effective game, with 24 points, 13 rebounds and three assists…but then, also, the four turnovers, and the foul trouble continues to persist. Brunson had three himself, as did Josh Hart, but their offensive outputs took care of that.

Coming back from down 3-1 is not an altogether saccharine situation for any basketball team; Indiana hasn’t lost consecutive games since early March.

Rick Carlisle has a track record suggesting he can make the necessary adjustments – perhaps, sometimes, over the protest of his players – and, again, we may not have learned a thing from what could have been a fluke Game 5. The Knicks arrived with a game plan and got fortunate that the Pacers missed a truckload of shots. 

In any case: Saturday night, these two teams play against each other in Indianapolis for the chance to move on to Oklahoma City. Who could ask for anything more?