As the Indiana Pacers prepare for their second consecutive conference finals run, they are still waiting to see which team they will take on between the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. There is a debate within the Pacers community about which team they should want to face in the conference finals, and it is a no-brainer--it's the Knicks.
The Pacers would have an easier time against the Knicks
The Knicks currently lead their series against 3-2 with a pivotal Game 6 happening on Friday night. New York had a 2-0 series lead and a 3-1 series lead at different times in the series. If the Celtics come back to win the series, they would be red-hot heading into the conference finals against Indiana. Momentum is everything in the playoffs, so this is less than ideal for the Pacers.
Furthermore, one of the more obvious reasons the Pacers should want to take on the Knicks instead is because of their history. While the Pacers' season ended in the conference finals last year at the hands of the eventual champion Celtics, their rivalry with New York is much more historic and legitimate. Adding a new chapter to a historic rivalry like this is always good for both teams, especially the Pacers, given that they sent the Knicks home in the second round of the playoffs last year.
Even though the Celtics are not at 100% health right now (especially after Jayson Tatum suffered a devastating Achilles injury in Game 4), they still have the personnel to make things difficult for the Pacers. The Celtics would give Indiana their biggest challenge on both sides of the ball as they are one of the few teams that can match their energy and pace. While having an opportunity to get revenge for last year's conference finals is appealing to the Pacers, they should want to take on the Knicks, and it is a bit of a no-brainer.
Both the Celtics and Knicks provide their own challenges to Indiana in a conference finals matchup, but one of these teams is the reigning champions for a reason, even given their health.
Regardless of who the Pacers eventually face in the conference finals, they are in a good position to continue their deep playoff run. They have not made the NBA Finals since 2000, but that could change this year, especially if they continue to play at the same level they have so far in the playoffs.