When it comes to style, the Knicks and Pacers are nearly opposites. The Pacers have been gearing up with their fast-paced teams for quite some time now.
They’re known for being one of the quickest teams in the league, consistently looking to push the ball during transitions. Defensively, they also press their opponents, extending their coverage across the full court.
Cleveland coach Kenny Atkinson shared his considerable respect for the Pacers, noting the challenges they posed, especially after his team was knocked out by them in five games in the previous round. “It’s reminiscent of a college team, in a really good way,” he remarked. “They keep up pressure for 48 minutes and outpace everyone else in the league… They’ve built their roster to suit this aggressive style.”
During the regular season, the Pacers averaged about 100.8 possessions per 48 minutes, ranking seventh in the NBA, while the Knicks averaged a low 97.08. In the playoffs, these numbers shifted slightly, with the Pacers at 99.3 and the Knicks at 95.3.
Tyrese Halliburton excels in fast breaks, effectively pushing through to the basket and finding open teammates.
“We need to get physical, get to the ball, disrupt their rhythm, and try to deny open shots,” said Josh Hart, who typically urges the Knicks to pick up the pace after practice on Monday. “This is going to be a crucial defensive series for us, and I think we can manage it.”
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“We’ve improved our communication. In the last two games against Boston, Jayson Tatum and the Celtics were quick to move the ball, which forced us to be more vocal. I believe that’s going to benefit us in this series against Indiana.”
The Pacers leverage their depth to maintain relentless energy throughout games.
Coach Rick Carlisle has kept rotations between nine and ten players, ensuring no one, including Halliburton, exceeds more than around 34 minutes during this postseason.
The Knicks, however, typically narrow their focus, with all starters averaging significant minutes and coach Tom Thibodeau often paring his rotation down to seven players.
“We plan to focus on our team’s strengths and tailor a strategy around them,” Thibodeau explained on Monday. “Halliburton possesses certain unique capabilities. Overlooking someone like [Andrew] Nembhard could be a grave mistake, and we need to adjust our system accordingly… pushing the pace with talented big players is definitely crucial.”
If the Knicks struggle to match that system and creativity, Thibodeau may find himself echoing Atkinson’s sentiments by the series’ end.
