The Indiana Pacers have a lot going well for them as they prepare for their conference finals matchup against the New York Knicks. However, the Pacers have a big Bennedict Mathurin problem that will be important to monitor throughout the series. The Knicks will hunt Mathurin and try to exploit him on the defensive end. While Mathurin has improved as a defender, he is still a liability, and the Knicks are a team that can use that to their advantage.
New York will play their best players as much as possible. Because of that, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle must watch Mathurin's minutes closely. The Canadian native provides a lot of value on the court, and he will play an important role for the Pacers as they look to make it back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000. However, there are still some Mathurin concerns that are valid, and they will be crucial to keep an eye on against the Knicks.
Bennedict Mathurin could be a problem in Knicks series
Mathurin has had a very interesting playoff run so far. For the most part, he has struggled, particularly in Indiana's first-round matchup with the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he stepped up in a bigger way against the Cleveland Cavaliers and reminded the Pacers what they were missing last year when he missed the entire postseason due to a shoulder injury. The Canadian native provides value for the Pacers, especially on the offensive side of the ball. However, he is not as effective on defense, and that could be a big problem for the team against the Knicks.
New York ended the regular season as the fifth-best offensive unit in the NBA, and they have also shown up in the playoffs. The Knicks provide a big challenge for the Pacers. Even though it is one they will likely be prepared for, the Pacers have to be wary of what the Knicks can do, particularly regarding Mathurin, whose defensive issues could be a big problem for Indiana.
What makes the Knicks a different challenge compared to a team like the Cavaliers is that they rely on their starters a lot more. This is a risky move for the Knicks, but so far, it has worked out very well for them.
Mathurin could be an X-factor in this series against the Knicks. He typically plays well against them, and his bench scoring will be crucial. However, how Carlisle plays him will be important, and it could be what decides the series for both teams.