Eastern Conference Finals Matchup Set: Knicks vs. Pacers

knicks1999 · Post #21 » by **knicks1999** » Sat May 17, 2025 1:38 pm

No Homer….but over a year later….2 different trades….but I believe we got the better trade with OG rather than Siakam

TKKnicks1 · Post #22 » by **TKKnicks1** » Sat May 17, 2025 1:54 pm

We matchup incredibly well with the Pacers and the Pacers defense is nowhere as elite as Bostons is. I truly believe the Pistons and Celtics set us up for success and showed us what we need to win. I want to see more of what we saw last night with a super aggressive KAT, ball movement and minimum 25 assists. I voted Knicks in 6 but I can see us taking it in 5 if we continue to play like last night.

TKKnicks1 · Post #23 » by **TKKnicks1** » Sat May 17, 2025 2:03 pm

I'm gonna add to my previous post that Thibs really hasn't shown us he can be proactive about game planning this post season. He needs to see what the other team throws at us before he is reactive. He's done an excellent job every time we have lost to plan accordingly for the next game. We need to see more proactive game planning in these conference finals however. He's known for spending hours in the film room but we really haven't seen that pay off yet this entire season. I'm needing Thibs to step up and game plan his @ss off proactively and reactively for these Pacers.

knicks1999 · Post #24 » by **knicks1999** » Sat May 17, 2025 2:11 pm

I believe KAT will be the difference maker in this series….when the game slows down….I don’t believe anyone on the Pacers can slow him down or stop him…I can see Siakam belong in a lot of foul trouble this series

Juco24 · Post #25 » by **Juco24** » Sat May 17, 2025 2:23 pm

aq_ua wrote:How last year’s playoffs ended still annoys me. We’re going to have more scoring opportunities with the way the Pacers like to run, but we need to get them to play our game and tighten up the defense. I agree, we’re starting to hit our stride at the right time, but so are the Pacers. We need to hit them early and stay on them. I can still see this going 7 games.

Agreed... correct me if I'm wrong but didn't we play without Randle. Mitch was limited and couldn't move laterally. I think Hart had an abdominal injury. OG was injured during the series (was it g5?)

My point is that Brunson had no secondary scorer...and Deuce was getting cooked by McConnell. Enter in a healthy Mitch, Hart and OG alongside KAT. I don't like Hali but he's legit. But I believe Mikal is a difference maker. It's going to be good. Can't wait!!

Spot31 · Post #26 » by **Spot31** » Sat May 17, 2025 2:32 pm

Another live by the 3 die by the 3 bunch of sissies. Knicks in 7.

Kampuchea · Post #27 » by **Kampuchea** » Sat May 17, 2025 2:34 pm

Current betting odds
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2025/05/16/opening-odds-for-knicks-vs-pacers-eastern-conference-finals/

Knicks favored.

OKC has betting odds for the title.

Chanel Bomber · Post #28 » by **Chanel Bomber** » Sat May 17, 2025 2:50 pm

I have Knicks in 7.

The Pacers are a well-rounded team and Hali is an exceptional talent - the type of talent you can't really predict or contain. He can dominate a game taking only 10 shots.

The Pacers have this annoying, private-school basketball team arrogance, but they can also scrap and play dirty. They're winners. And they have a championship coach.

There's a lot to dissect, but overall I think it's going to be a close and chippy series, with some wild runs from both sides, and some heated moments. I expect an emotional rollercoaster.

I think we win game 7 at home with Brunson or KAT having a monster game.

NoDopeOnSundays · Post #29 » by **NoDopeOnSundays** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:07 pm

In 6, they'll have 2 hot shooting games but the don't take the sheer volume of threes that the Celtics do. They play at a fast pace, and typically the more physical team that can rebound controls the pace, case in point we had them playing at a 92.6 pace in the playoffs last year. They won't have the possessions to win against us IMO, virtually no second chance points will be on the table for them.

Grinditout · Post #30 » by **Grinditout** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:21 pm

Just take care of the ball. No sloppy turnovers, or if you do, run back.

MrDollarBills · Post #31 » by **MrDollarBills** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:26 pm

Let's discuss strategy.

Mikal on Halliburton?

Do we switch everything?

Who should KAT defend, Siakam or Turner?

matchman · Post #32 » by **matchman** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:31 pm

aq_ua wrote:How last year’s playoffs ended still annoys me. We’re going to have more scoring opportunities with the way the Pacers like to run, but we need to get them to play our game and tighten up the defense. I agree, we’re starting to hit our stride at the right time, but so are the Pacers. We need to hit them early and stay on them. I can still see this going 7 games.

I am with you this time, but honestly I don't care how many games we take, just get into the Finals. :pray:

Red Vines · Post #33 » by **Red Vines** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:33 pm

Kind of forgot last year we lost Bogdanović early in the playoffs too. Also didn't remember Hartenstein had 0 points in 30 minutes (-24) in game 7. While Indy shot 67% for the game. They were allowed to bump Brunson up the court so I like how we've had Hart and Mikal pushing the ball whenever they can. Brunson needs to keep letting it fly from 3 instead of dribbling down the clock early in the game, it helps our pace and stops ball watching. Keep hearing Indy will try to wear us out which is strange because when everyone is contributing we don't have that issue.

Post #34 » by **Jeff Van Gully** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:33 pm

aq_ua wrote:How last year’s playoffs ended still annoys me. We’re going to have more scoring opportunities with the way the Pacers like to run, but we need to get them to play our game and tighten up the defense. I agree, we’re starting to hit our stride at the right time, but so are the Pacers. We need to hit them early and stay on them. I can still see this going 7 games.

we made the 3 point line unpleasant in game 6. just like we hoped the team could do consistently. even the open ones were shook daddy and out of rhythm.

pacers have better outlets for overaggressive perimeter defense. siakam and turner can actually convert when they are forced inside. gonna have to plan accordingly.

each game is different. each series is different.

Grinditout · Post #35 » by **Grinditout** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:35 pm

Mikal on haliburton? Or OG?

knicks1999 · Post #36 » by **knicks1999** » Sat May 17, 2025 3:37 pm

Grinditout wrote:Mikal on haliburton? Or OG?

OG on Siakam I believe

Garbagelo · Post #37 » by **Garbagelo** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:22 pm

On paper, looks like Knicks in 5. Pacers are a poor man's Boston in terms of talent but the coach is better and they are going to be hungrier than the Celtics. This will probably be a 7 game series knowing how we occasionally chit the bed for no good reason. Better off not underestimate the Pacers.

LFGK · Post #38 » by **LFGK** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:39 pm

MrDollarBills wrote:Let's discuss strategy.

Mikal on Halliburton?

Do we switch everything?

Who should KAT defend, Siakam or Turner?

Should be a lot of double bigs, why not throw

KAT on Nesmith
OG on Siakam
Bridges on the Frontrunner
Mitch on Turner
Brunson on Nembhard

god shammgod · Post #39 » by **god shammgod** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:39 pm

i went knicks in 6

LFGK · Post #40 » by **LFGK** » Sat May 17, 2025 5:44 pm

Brunson an co can smell the finals, I don't believe in that sh*t the bed a game or 2 nonsense happening, they will be focused, this is a temu version of the Celtics offensively with worse defense. They can score but Knicks are better rite now defensively then both teams they have played. Let the haters and pacer fans talk I will hold it down in the GB with the wild talk on how much they want to be taken seriously

Predictions?