The Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks are back in action at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday for a pivotal Game Four of their Eastern Conference finals.
From the brink of going 3-0 down in the series, the away side rallied to claim a huge victory in Monday's Game Three and now have the opportunity to level things at two wins apiece before heading back home for Game Five.
Match preview
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In a thrilling playoff journey marked by several historic comebacks, the Indiana Pacers were on the receiving end of one en route to a 106-100 defeat, which halved their 2-0 advantage from the first two matchups in New York.
Rick Carlisle's men came out firing on all cylinders and romped to a 20-point lead with just under three and a half minutes left in the first half, but that cushion was wiped out midway through the fourth quarter to lay down the platform for a stunning fightback down the stretch.
The Pacers were abysmal from behind the three-point line, knocking down just five of their 25 attempts—for context, they had made an average of just over 13 per game heading into Monday's clash on home turf.
A 100-point tally last time out also marked the Pacers' fewest in a playoff game this term, despite the best efforts of Tyrese Haliburton (20), Myles Turner (19) and Pascal Siakam, who combined for 56 points.
One of only two teams—alongside the Oklahoma City Thunder—yet to lose consecutive matches in the current postseason, Wednesday's hosts will now aim to get back on track and put themselves in the driving seat with a commanding 3-1 lead.
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The New York Knicks left themselves with a mountain to climb after the opening two games as they trailed 2-0 and knew there was little margin for error heading into a must-win encounter in Indianapolis.
Tom Thibodeau's men had produced two stunning comebacks in their second-round series against the Boston Celtics, but Monday's fightback just might be their most impressive so far as they erased a 20-point deficit for the third time in the ongoing playoffs, setting a new record.
Off the back of a poor showing across the opening three quarters, where he managed just four points, Karl-Anthony Towns was the main driving force for his side down the stretch with a 20-point fourth quarter to take his tally to 24 to go along with 15 boards.
Having been in foul trouble for large spells of the second half, floor general Jalen Brunson featured in a relatively limited capacity, but insisted he had full confidence in his teammates' abilities to get the job done while watching from the sidelines.
Brunson will be aiming to deliver the goods for his side as they aim to come back from a 2-0 deficit in a seven-game series for the first time ever against a Pacers outfit who have gone on to win on each of the last 14 occasions when holding a 2-0 lead.
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Team News
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Off the back of an explosive performance in Game Two, Aaron Nesmith was held to just eight points last time out and will be keen to bounce back with a much improved display here.
Isaiah Jackson remains the Pacers' only casualty on the injury front at the moment due to a calf problem that will rule him out of contention until the start of next season.
For the Knicks, it is also as you were on the injury front, with 25-year-old forward Precious Achiuwa still the only guaranteed absentee with a niggling ankle issue.
Mitchell Robinson was handed a starting berth at the expense of Josh Hart to allow Karl-Anthony Towns to move to the power-forward position, and Thibodeau could opt to retain that formula.
Indiana Pacers possible starting five:
Haliburton, Nembhard; Nesmith, Siakam; Turner
New York Knicks possible starting five:
Brunson, Bridges; Anunoby, Towns; Robinson
We say: Pacers to win by 6+ points
The Pacers seemingly had things in control before suffering a disappointing capitulation last time out.
We are backing the home side to bounce with a win here and cruise to a commanding 3-1 lead.
Adepoju Marvellous
