Looking Ahead to Knicks vs. Pacers Game Four: Who Needs This Game More?
The New York Knicks stole Game Three at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, completing their third 20-point road comeback of these playoffs to avoid a 3-0 series deficit. Game Four is in Indiana on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. ET on TNT, where the Pacers are two and a half-point favorites according to ESPN Bet. In a series headlined by home team struggles, Indiana hopes to break this pattern while New York eyes to do just as Indiana has done, steal both road games. Looking ahead, who needs Game Four more to win this series?
Could Tuesday Decide Indiana’s Playoff Fate?
With the road team claiming the first three games of the series, Indiana will be looking to break that pattern and take a 3-1 lead heading back to Madison Square Garden. The Pacers were plagued by offensive struggles and poor three–point shooting in the second half of Game Three. Guard Tyrese Haliburton and center Myles Turner combined for just 39 points on a combined three-for-14 shooting from beyond the arc. As they look to keep home-court advantage and move one step closer to the NBA Finals, they're going to need the aggression and high tempo that they sustained in their victories in Games One and Two.
Is Game Four a Must-Win for New York?
Despite their second-half heroics, New York appeared to be on the verge of a 3-0 deficit late in the second quarter. However, a Karl-Anthony Towns-inspired comeback has given the Knicks life in this series, as they enter Tuesday night trailing 2-1. A Game Four victory would even the series at 2-2 and help New York regain home-court advantage. A loss would put New York down 3-1, a deficit only 13 teams have ever come back from, with four being in the conference finals. In addition, New York’s 4-4 record at home this postseason doesn't give reason to believe that they would mount that 3-1 comeback if they were to drop Game Four.
What to Watch for in Game Four
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau surprised many by reaching into his bench, giving 13 and 11 minutes to Delon Wright and Landry Shamet, respectively. Riding high from their Game Three victory, will he elect to use his bench and give valuable rest to Jalen Brunson and KAT? On Sunday, Pacers guard Aaron Nesmith suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter, although he remained in the game. Listed as a game-time decision, will his injury affect Indiana’s starting lineups and rotation? Entering Sunday, Indiana had dropped just one game at home throughout these playoffs. Will they bounce back and put themselves one game away from their second NBA Finals appearance in franchise history? Game Four looks to be pivotal in this series, as both teams look to be one step closer to a long-awaited finals appearance.
