This previous Friday, the Knicks have been dwelling to face the Celtics in Recreation 6 of the East semi-finals. New York had a 3-2 collection lead and an opportunity to shut it at Madison Sq. Backyard.
It was a six-point recreation after the primary quarter; nonetheless, it rapidly received out of hand. By halftime, the Knicks have been up 63-37. New York routed the Celtics for a remaining rating of 119-81. The Knicks simply gained Recreation 6 and punched their ticket to the Japanese Convention Finals. That is their first ECF look within the final 25 years.
The Pacers and Knicks will meet within the 2025 Japanese Convention Finals
Beginning lineups the final time the Knicks and Pacers performed in opposition to one another within the Japanese Convention Finals (2000) pic.twitter.com/xYMNRt1xTL
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) Might 17, 2025
New York and Indiana have waited a very long time to get again to the Japanese Convention Finals. The Knicks haven’t gained the East since 1999, and the Pacers since 2000. Mockingly, the Knicks misplaced to the Pacers in 2000, and New York beat Indiana in 1999. Within the 2025 ECF, the pinnacle coaches have two reverse methods. Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau performs his starters in heavy minutes and solely has a seven-to-eight-man rotation.
Pacers’ Rick Carlisle has 9 gamers within the postseason who common double-digit minutes. Having depth has been a power of Indiana all through the season. Even when their starters will not be on the courtroom, the staff can maintain its personal. The Knicks have a very completely different technique. All 5 of their starters are averaging 35+ minutes per recreation this postseason. New York’s starters are very important to their staff’s success, together with Jalen Brunson.
The 2024-25 Clutch Participant of the Yr is having a dominant postseason for the Knicks. His staff is 4 wins away from punching their ticket to an NBA Finals look. Standing in the way in which of the Knicks is a scrappy Pacers staff that can’t be taken flippantly. They beat the Bucks within the first spherical after which the #1 seed Cavs within the semi-finals. Recreation 1 of the Japanese Convention Finals is Wednesday, Might 21, at 8:00 p.m. EST.
