A physical crisis emerges! Can Thibodeau s death rotation withstand the Pacers youth storm?

When the lights of Madison Garden meet the shouts of the Gambrigie Arena on the top of the East, it is destined to be an epic battle of revenge and proof. Two counterattack troops who stepped on the corpse of powerful men are writing the most moving dark horse legend in NBA history.

On the stage of this year's Eastern Conference Finals, the Knicks met the Pacers on a narrow road. Previously, almost no one expected the Knicks to defeat the Celtics, and few people were optimistic that the Pacers could eliminate the Cavaliers. However, both teams played a convincing show in the second round, and now they will compete fiercely on the Eastern Conference Finals stage.

The Knicks and the Pacers have long had an indissoluble bond in the long history of the NBA. They have played in the playoffs eight times since 1993, and each collision has sparked everywhere, making it unforgettable. From Reggie Miller's throat choke to Paul George's final victory, the Knicks' eight playoffs with the Pacers in 28 years are always writing new chapters of grudges. The bloody memories of the tiebreak battle last year are still burning in the hearts of New Yorkers - the broken lineup, OG Anunobi's bloody knee pads, and Brunson fought alone until the last second of the tragic tragedy.

This year, the Knicks' lineup is more complete, and they have also introduced two powerful players, Bridges and Towns. The Knicks are eager to avenge their revenge on the Pacers, which are currently in the hottest form in the league.

Regular season confrontation

This season, the Knicks have the upper hand with a record of 2 wins and 1 loss.

October 25, 2024: Knicks 123-98 Pacers

November 10, 2024: Pacers 132-121 Knicks

February 11, 2025: Knicks 128-115 Pacers

In the first encounter between the two sides, Halliburton played one of the worst games of his career, 0 of 8 shots and no point was scored. He was suffering from back injuries at the time, but two weeks later, Halliburton overcame the injury, scoring 35 points and sending 14 assists in the win over the Knicks. In the third encounter, Anunobi and Miles Turner were absent. Towns and Hart worked together to score 70 points, and the Knicks won easily.

Can Pacers' defense stand the test?

The Knicks' strength has increased significantly this season, thanks to the upgrade of the lineup. However, the internal lifting of the Pacers cannot be ignored. They jumped from the 24th defense in the league last season to the 14th place this season.

Pacers have performed better in the playoffs. The Bucks ranked 10th in the league in offense this season, while the Cavaliers are the best team in the league in offense and second in history. The Pacers successfully suppressed the scores of both teams below the season average.

Knicks' offense is highly dependent on Brunson, so whether the Pacers can limit him will be the key to determining the direction of the series. The Pacers have an excellent defender – Andrew Nemhard. However, Brunson always uses his physical advantage to suppress Nemhard in historical clashes. The Pacers may need to send taller, stronger defender Aaron Nesmith to defend Brunson. Even though Nesmith had a slightly better performance in the confrontation, Brunson was able to keep scoring efficiently.

No matter who the Pacers choose to defend Brunson, the whole team needs to be united in order to effectively slow down his offensive rhythm. Can the

Knicks limit the Pacers' fast attack?

Pacers' winning approach is well known: they are better at pushing fast attacks than any NBA team. This advantage is often difficult to maintain in the playoffs, but the Pacers are an exception. They unswervingly execute fast attack tactics every round, and even if the opponent carefully arranges defense, it is difficult to completely contain it.

Knicks are equally good at scoring fast breaks, but more often, they tend to adopt a steady offensive rhythm. This season, the Knicks ranked 26th in offensive rhythm, and a slower game is more conducive to the Knicks' performance.

Tibodeau is perhaps the strictest coach in the league. During the regular season, the Knicks ranked 10th in the league in terms of limiting fast break scoring. However, this data has declined in the playoffs, which may be related to the excess playing time and fatigue the players have suffered. In the Pacers' duel, the Knicks will face a more severe test.

East Finals Preview

This is not a typical showdown in the three-point era. During the regular season, the Pacers and the Knicks ranked 21st and 28th in the league in their three-point shooting percentages respectively. The Pacers have excellent scoring skills in every position, while the Knicks are good at creating damage at the basket. Both teams have excellent shooting feel, which will undoubtedly contribute to the fans' wonderful games.

In the second round last year, the Knicks collapsed due to injuries. This year, their lineup is healthier, but Brunson's right ankle injury remains a hidden danger. Brunson and Halliburton take turns playing the role of Mr. Key in the playoffs, and the final quarters of these games will undoubtedly be full of suspense and passion.

The first round, the Knicks easily eliminated the Pistons in six games. In the second round, they once took a 3-1 lead, and Tatum's injury made the Celtics hopelessly reverse. Despite this, the Knicks' competitiveness against top teams in the league is still doubtful. During the regular season, they faced teams with a winning rate of more than 50%, with a record of only 15 wins and 23 losses. In the first three wins against the Celtics, they all completed the reversal while trailing at least 14 points. The reason why the Knicks stood out in the playoffs is due to the amazing fighting spirit they show in every game. Hart ran around the court, competing for every floor ball; OG Anunobi and Mikal Bridges played almost all over the game, and always stood up at critical moments; Brunson became one of the top finishers in the league. However, how will they deal with it when they face a team that also has these advantages?

On the other hand, at the beginning of the season, the Pacers performed mediocrely due to Halliburton's injury, but now they are getting better. At the end of the regular season, the Pacers achieved a record of 40 wins and 17 losses, and made rapid progress with a record of 8 wins and 2 losses in the playoffs. As the season deepens, their defense becomes more and more stable. Siakam and Halliburton were in great shape in the playoffs, and many role players also performed at a high level. The Pacers have a deeper lineup thickness, a better coaching team and a healthier lineup. These advantages are enough to give them a little upper hand in this set of series.

Predict: Pacers 4-3 Knicks