It is official--the Indiana Pacers are taking on the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals in what will prove to be a poetic sendoff for TNT. The Pacers and Knicks, who are long-time rivals, will go head-to-head once again for a ticket to the NBA Finals.
Not only will this be TNT's final series as their deal with the NBA expires after this season, but it will also be the last series Reggie Miller calls for TNT. The Pacers legend knows a thing or two about the team's rivalry with the Knicks, and that only makes the conference finals that much more intriguing for both teams.
The Pacers and Knicks have history
This series will mark the ninth time both teams will go up against each other in the playoffs, and it is the fourth time they will meet in the conference finals. The Knicks won two of their previous three matchups in the conference finals, though Indiana won their latest conference finals battle in 2000, which is also the last time they made an NBA Finals appearance. Both of these teams have history, and it is only fitting that they will meet up once again in TNT's last call.
Heading into the series, there is a lot to like about both teams. The Knicks are on a roll and eliminated the reigning champion Boston Celtics in six games. As for the Pacers, they have been one of the most dominant teams in the entire postseason, and they have been red-hot since the turn of the calendar. Outside of the history these two teams have with each other, the matchup is great on paper, and this should be a competitive series.
All season long, the Pacers have made it clear that their main goal is to bring an NBA Championship to Indiana. Despite their slow start and dealing with tons of doubters along the way, the Pacers are just eight games away from making that dream a reality. The Knicks provide a tough challenge, but the Pacers have given fans reasons time and time again to feel good about their odds, and that is no different this time around.
The Pacers and Knicks, who had an intense seven-game battle in last year's playoffs, have reignited their rivalry, and this will be the latest chapter in their story. As both teams fight to make it back to the NBA Finals, all eyes will be on them to see which team prevails, and to do it on TNT only makes it that much sweeter.