The Indiana Pacers have become one of the most clutch teams in the NBA, particularly in the postseason. However, the New York Knicks have an advantage in this area, and that could prove to be detrimental to the Pacers.
On Wednesday night, the Pacers and Knicks will meet up for Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. This should be an intense series as the winner will return to the NBA Finals, where neither team has been in over two decades. Additionally, each game could come down to the wire as both teams match up well with each other, and that may be a bigger advantage for the Knicks, despite Indiana's clutch performances.
The Knicks have the best clutch player in the series
According to NBA.com, the Pacers have a 169 ORTG in clutch situations this postseason, which is the best in the league. As for the Knicks, their 114.3 ORTG in the clutch is sixth-best. Indiana is the better team in the clutch, and the stats prove that. However, the Knicks have Jalen Brunson, who is continuing to build his reputation as a bit of a late-game hero.
In the regular season, Brunson hit 16 go-ahead or game-tying shots within the last two minutes of a game. This was the most in the NBA. Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton had 10 such shots, however, which was fourth-most in the league.
If any game in the conference finals comes down to the wire, the ball will be in the hands of Brunson or Haliburton, depending on the situation. Based on the numbers, this is a better situation for the Knicks and their top guy. Furthermore, they have an 88.2 DRTG in the clutch this postseason, which ranks as the second-best, only behind the Minnesota Timberwolves. Even if the Pacers get the ball late in a close game, the Knicks have proven they have what it takes to put an end to any late-game heroics.
Both teams got this far for a reason, and it is because they each show up when the lights are at their brightest. The Pacers and Knicks are each fantastic teams in the clutch, which is crucial in the playoffs, when every single game counts. Each team has a lot going well for them heading into the conference finals, but only one of them can advance and get one step closer to bringing an NBA Championship home. There will be a lot of different factors that will decide who wins the series, and that could include something as simple as which team has the ball in their hands last.