Knicks and Pacers Advance to Game 4 in Dramatic Playoff Clash (New York, Indiana)
In the ongoing 2025 Eastern Conference Finals of the NBA, the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers will square off in Game 4 in Indianapolis on Tuesday.
The series, characterized by its compelling and puzzling nature, witnessed a potential game-saving victory for the Knicks in Game 3, as they edged out the Pacers, 106-100, after overcoming a 20-point deficit in the first half. The Knicks now trail the series 2-1.
"It's a true test when you're down 20-plus," said Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks' hero in Game 3, who scored 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter. In doing so, New York managed to avoid joining the league's unfortunate history of teams unable to win a playoff series after losing the opening three games.
The comeback in Game 3 follows a trend in this series featuring teams that have eliminated the top two seeds (Boston and Cleveland) in the semifinals. The road team has been triumphant in all three games, with each losing team rightly contending they could have won.
The Pacers rallied from a 17-point deficit in Game 1, thanks to a flurry of three-pointers from Aaron Nesmith, and Indiana's largest deficit in Game 2 was an eight-point gap in the closing moments.
Pacers Struggle with Half-court Offense
Indiana's offense stalled in the second half of Game 3, managing just 20 points in the fourth quarter. Nesmith's injury, which sidelined him midway through the third quarter, seemed decisive, not just for his offensive productivity but also for his tenacity and ability to guard Jalen Brunson.
Without Nesmith, the Pacers were 5 of 18 from the field in the fourth quarter, 1 of 8 from beyond the arc, and struggled to establish an offensive rhythm with defenders like Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart, and OJ Anunoby on the floor.
Knicks' Bench Steps Up
Strong performances from New York's bench in Game 3 have raised intriguing questions for Game 4. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau got 24 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and stout defense from his reserves. The improvements in bench production, partly due to a lineup change and partly because of starters' foul trouble, will undoubtedly impact the Knicks' strategy to win on the road.
Will the Home-Court Advantage Make a Difference?
Both teams have demonstrated impressive resilience on the road, knocking back deficits to secure victories. The Knicks have won each of their last four road games despite trailing in the fourth quarter of each. The Pacers, meanwhile, have won three road games after trailing by 15 points in the postseason, making them the second team in the last 20 years to do so.
Given the current trend, it remains to be seen if the home-court advantage will finally matter in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The stakes are high as the Pacers look to secure their place in the NBA Finals, while the Knicks fight to extend the series.
In the NBA, the New York Knicks and the Indiana Pacers, two teams from the Eastern Conference, are set to face each other in the ongoing 2025 NBA playoffs, specifically in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Indianapolis on Tuesday. The series, marked by its intense and perplexing nature, will witness key players like Karl-Anthony Towns for the Knicks and Aaron Nesmith for the Pacers, both contributing significantly in their respective teams' efforts. This basketball game will follow a series of thrilling comebacks, with each team showcasing remarkable resilience on the road in previous games. The Knicks, seeking to even the series, will be hoping to leverage their bench's improved performance and capitalize on the home-court advantage in the upcoming games.
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