You'll Need a Pace(r) Maker For Two Harts This Time | Official Pacers (#4) vs. Knicks (#3) Eastern Conference Finals Thread

[Mandizi]

Knicks in 6

 

[FlyBoy718]

Knicks are the best conditioned team left in the playoffs.

Until the wheels start to fall off the further they advance in the playoffs I hope I'm wrong as I want both teams at full health the entire series, but the Pacers style of play is concerning given Thib's tight rotation.

My head is telling me Pacers in 6 but my NYC fandom has me taking the Knicks in 7. It should be a great series and Hali officially usurps lil Mice Trae as Public Enemy #1 in NYC.

 

[FlyBoy718]

The Knicks should be optimistic and have everything they need to get to the Finals. I wouldn't be shocked if the Knicks beat them in 6 or 7, or if it went the other way.

To me, this is an ideal matchup for a conference finals. Both sides look healthy, styles clash with good coaching on both benches, notable postseason history... the NBA should be ecstatic, as should basketball fans.

Agreed. Even if it winds up being OKC-Pacers, that would be a dope match-up on a pure basketball level. Folks have already started murmuring about how bad the match-up would be for ratings, but I could give two shyts about that. Any configuration of the teams remaining in the playoffs will be fun to watch for non-casuals.

 

[OsO]

Not to be overconfident, but I can't see a healthy Knicks team losing to the Pacers.

If the Knicks are locked in on defense this is over in 5 or 6.

 

[TheNig]

I got mad love for you cuh.

And I'm just gone leave it at that.

 

[Dem313wayz]

Hilarious how wrong everyone is gonna be. Pacers will beat the knicks

 

[CantStop]

pacers got a bit more offense

knicks got better defense

 

[RickyGQ]

Congratulations by the way

 

[RickyGQ]

I was replying to this statement @obarth made - "I think the evolution from "Thibs runs players into the ground" to "Knicks are very well conditioned" is going unnoticed in a postseason littered with injuries."

I think that was quite obviously referring to the injuries as it relates to conditioning.

I thought both teams looked visibly fatigued, if we're keeping it real.

On that note though - the 4th and 5th highest-average minute players for Boston were 34 years old and 38 years old, respectively, so playing them more minutes during the regular season is hardly going to do their conditioning any favors (it's more likely to do the opposite). The same conditioning advantage y'all had against the Celtics won't be there against Indiana, well, certainly not to the same degree.

This is the same Pacers squad who went to the ECF last season. Playing however many minutes they need to won't be an issue; they know what it takes to push through that initial threshold of exhaustion.

It's not like this is their first rodeo.

To further that point, they're 5-0 in the clutch this postseason, so they've proven they can lean hard on their starters when it's time need to close and/or play more minutes down the stretch of games. Haliburton, Turner, Nesmith, Siakam and Nembhard won't have any issue, whatsoever, playing more minutes, particularly since they love playing at a fast pace. If Knicks are willing to slow the game down, then playing 38-40 minutes will be like playing 34-36 minutes to Indiana and their regular style of play.

Knicks have certain advantages in this series, but none of them relate to conditioning (that's where Indiana has the upper-hand).

Yea, i disagree. We’re a uniquely qualified crunch time team. Comparing us to the broken down Cavs, the broken down Bucks or the broken down Knicks from last year won’t prepare you for what this team can bring next series.

I acknowledge the age of the Celtics but Tatum and Brown looked just as exhausted in crunch time. Making mental mistakes that can easily be contributed to fatigue as well. This next series will be another contrast of styles. Controlling the boards and mucking things up is our speciality.

 

[Ironman]

Knicks in 5 pleighboi

 

[holidayinn21]

Knicks in 6

 

[threattonature]

No clue how to call this series. I'm just hoping OKC wins tomorrow so we get four teams that haven't had championships ever or in a really long time.

As far as this series my head tells me Indiana in 6. I think the talent between the two teams starters is even but Indiana has the deeper bench and better coaching IMO.

I'm rooting for the Knicks to take it as I love the passion of their fan base and just want to see them finally get a title.

 

[RickyGQ]

i just think a regular 40+ minutes a game is different from a 40+ minutes a game against these pacers.
I saw a lot of iso ball, one pass shoot possessions from the Celtics. Even when the Pacers use the clock, they gonna move the ball a lot. It's not generally an iso possession where everyone clears out and just waits...you gon see bout 4-5 handoffs and if McConnell's in the game, he's gonna slash to the rim and may or may not try to sneak that bucket. Pascal is gonna iso but I'd expect at least 3-4 players to touch the ball on most half-court possessions otherwise.

the slower tempo to me at least is akin to running the ball. Yeah it's nice and good when you can get your buckets and get second chance opportunities, but if the Pacers are making their shots and the Knicks have to play faster, then what?

Thats fair. But if it’s close at crunch time? Then what?

 

[superchoops]

Thats fair. But if it’s close at crunch time? Then what?

also for what its worth, towards the end of the season we had a lot of games come down to crunch time and they responded well. I think we're much better in the crunch than we were previously

 

[RickyGQ]

also for what its worth, towards the end of the season we had a lot of games come down to crunch time and they responded well. I think we're much better in the crunch than we were previously

Cool. Now do it against us, when legacies are on the line.