The Indiana Pacers are riding high right now. They're coming off a massive blowout of the Knicks in Game 4 in Indianapolis. It was a game that showed off the best possible play from them. They played great offensively and defensively and it translated into a blowout.
Now, they travel to Madison Square Garden for Game 5 on Tuesday night. The series is now tied 2-2 and the Knicks still have homecourt advantage. But New York is still very injured. OG Anunoby is out once again, so they will be down their best defender.
The Knicks are running on fumes. We know that the Pacers don't want to have to play a Game 7 on the road, so they need to win Game 5 and Game 6. Indiana hasn't lost a playoff game at home yet, so that makes Game 5 the biggest playoff game for the Pacers in a decade.
The Pacers play their biggest playoff game in a decade in Game 5
Indiana is going to throw everything they have into winning Game 5 in the Garden. They know that they have to take advantage of the injuries that the Knicks have for that game. Jalen Brunson is still hobbled, so they sooner they can take out the Knicks the better. They don't want to let him get any rest.
Aaron Nesmith has done a great job defending him. He's going to be looked at to be the best defender on the floor again in Game 5. The Pacers know what they need to do in order to get the win. They did it in Game 4. Tyrese Haliburton has unlocked himself as well.
Expect Haliburton to continue to look for his shot and for Myles Turner to make his threes. The starters didn't have to shoulder a full load in Game 4 because the game got out of hand so quickly, They will be rested and ready to keep running the Knicks ragged.
It's going to be a charged-up atmosphere in New York. The Pacers should be ready.