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In an exciting matchup, the Indiana Pacers are on the brink of reaching the NBA Finals after securing a thrilling 131-130 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals. With this win, the Pacers now have a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. The game saw the Knicks struggle initially, falling behind by as many as 10 points during the second quarter. However, they managed to rally and briefly take a lead, 64-63, with just over a minute before halftime. The Pacers responded strong, ending the first half on a 6-0 run to regain momentum, which set the stage for the second half.
The Pacers’ offensive dominance was palpable, beginning the third quarter with a 12-point lead less than three minutes in. Although the Knicks have proven their resilience in the playoffs, even coming back from 20-point deficits, they struggled to maintain their composure against Indiana’s consistent scoring. Indiana built on their lead with another late-quarter push, finishing the third on a 12-5 run, akin to earlier stretches in the game. As the fourth quarter commenced, the Pacers extended their lead to 15 points, their largest of the night, showcasing their ability to deliver when it mattered most.
Despite being in a challenging position, the Knicks demonstrated their fighting spirit by launching a 10-2 run, cutting the deficit to six with just under five minutes on the clock. Yet, Indiana’s Obi Toppin silenced the comeback attempt by nailing a critical three-pointer, pushing the Pacers’ advantage back to ten with only 45 seconds remaining. This turn of events highlighted the importance of maintaining offensive pressure during crucial moments, a strategy the Pacers executed brilliantly.
One of the standout performances came from Tyrese Haliburton, who delivered an incredible triple-double featuring 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds, without a single turnover. Haliburton’s performance was pivotal in controlling the game’s tempo and ensuring consistent scoring for Indiana. Alongside him, Pascal Siakam contributed significantly with 30 points, while Benedict Mathurin added 20 off the bench, illustrating the depth of Indiana’s roster.
On the Knicks’ side, Jalen Brunson was the leading scorer with 31 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby provided additional support with 24 and 22 points, respectively. Although they combined for a substantial 77 of the team’s 121 points, the Knicks struggled with ball control, ending the night with 17 turnovers compared to the Pacers’ 11. This lack of precision proved detrimental as they attempted to battle back from deficits throughout the game.
Looking ahead, the Knicks face an uphill battle as they must now win three consecutive games to keep their playoff hopes alive. They will play Game 5 on their home turf at Madison Square Garden, a venue where they’ve already faced difficulties in this series. Fans will be eager to see if the Knicks can harness their home-court advantage and overcome the challenges that have arisen throughout the postseason. The upcoming match is crucial for New York, putting significant pressure on them to rally and extend their season against a formidable Pacers team.
