Previewing Knicks Pacers conference finals
The Knicks have done it! They officially made the conference finals for the first time since 2000 where they lost in 6 to..... you guessed it the Indiana Pacers. Now do they have any chance at exacting revenge for the back to back conference finals losses that Indiana handed them in 1999 and 2000? Let's dive into how both teams got here, and who has the advantage going into this year's Eastern Conference finals.
The New York Knicks had high expectations coming into this season following the surging run that propelled them to game 7 in last year's second round matchup with Indiana. Especially after multiple poorly timed injuries to stars like Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby left Knicks fans feeling their team did not have the chance to compete at their highest level. These expectations grew even more after the acquisitions of Mikal Bridges and Karl Anthony-Towns during this past offseason. With many wondering also if Tom Thibodeau has what it takes to coach a team to a championship, lots of fans expected Thibs to be on the hot seat if the Knicks didn't make it further this time around.
Well after two gritty and tough series against the Pistons and Celtics, Thibs and his Knicks have officially made it further than last season, but as New York sports fans we know that's not the end goal.
Indiana shocked the world in the second round by eliminating the 1 seeded Cleveland Cavaliers rather easily in 5 games, after eliminating the beat up Milwaukee Bucks in round 1. The Pacers now find themselves in their second straight conference finals after being swept by the eventual champion Celtics last year.
The biggest question for the Knicks this series is, can they match the pacers pace? No, that's not meant to be a pun, the Indiana Pacers just play offense at one of the fastest rates in the NBA, and their starting/closing lineup has one of the best on court ratings of any team in the league.
But with some of the best wing defenders in the NBA in Anunoby and Josh Hart, the Knicks seem perfectly matched against the high volume offense of the Indiana Pacers.
Is this the year we see the Knicks finally get back to the top? Does Indiana send New York packing two years in a row? We are all incredibly eager to find out!
More From 104.5 THE TEAM
