Indiana Pacers’ Aaron Nesmith reacts to a foul called against him during the first half of Game 5 in an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Tuesday, May 14, 2024, in New York. Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, right, argues with a referee during the second half of Game 2 of the team’s NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the New York Knicks, Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in New York. The Knicks won 130-121.
Indiana stopped a franchise-record, 10-game playoff losing streak with a Game 2 victory at Milwaukee in the first round, and then eliminated the Bucks 4-2 for their first series win in a decade. After losing the first two games at New York, the Pacers posted two home wins to even the series.Brunson scores 44, Knicks beat Pacers 121-91 to move a win away from conference finalsof reaching the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 2000 when it lost to the Pacers in six games.
“We’ve got to play harder, we’ve got play with a greater level of execution,” said Indiana coach Rick Carlisle, who helped lead the Dallas Mavericks to an NBA championship in 2011. “If you can’t come up with a ball and have level of possessions for the game, you’re not going to in the second round of the playoffs. We’ve got to do better, much better.
What has worked for the Knicks is All-Star guard Jalen Brunson, who has topped the 40-point mark six times in 11 playoff games, including 44 points on 18-of-35 shooting when the Knicks needed him most Tuesday night.