Pacers Aim for 3-0 Series Lead Against Knicks in Eastern Conference Finals

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The Indiana Pacers are set to host the New York Knicks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals at 8 p.m. at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The Pacers lead the series 2-0 after a victory in Game 2 at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

Pacer forward Pascal Siakam scored a playoff-career-high 39 points to lead Indiana to victory. With this win, the Pacers have never lost a best-of-seven series after taking a 2-0 lead, holding a perfect 9-0 record. In contrast, the Knicks hold a daunting statistic, having never won a series after trailing 0-2 in 14 attempts.

Indiana has been agile on offense, pushing the tempo with an average of 11.6 seconds per possession before shooting. Coach Rick Carlisle’s strategy has paid off, allowing the Pacers to outscore the Knicks significantly in transition opportunities, with a 51-26 point advantage over two games.

The Knicks, aiming to mount a comeback, recently revamped their starting lineup. Jalen Brunson has been pivotal for New York, scoring 11 points in the first quarter of Game 3, but the Knicks struggled to defend against Indiana’s fast-paced approach.

As the first quarter concluded, the Knicks led 30-26, but both teams will need to focus on their defensive strategies. The Pacers have shown resilience, managing well against potential foul trouble and keeping their defense focused.

“That’s how we got to play,” said Carlisle, emphasizing the need for contributions from every player. The Pacers have shown several players can step up at any time, keeping the Knicks on their toes.

Tonight’s matchup carries significant implications for both teams, as the Knicks look to break their losing streak in series down 0-2. A loss would put them on the brink of elimination from the playoffs.