NEW YORK — It was always going to be on defense.
For the New York Knicks to stave off elimination, to get back in this Eastern Conference finals, they needed to somehow curb the Indiana Pacers. New York, for at least one game Thursday night, did exactly that, becoming the first team this postseason to hold Indiana to fewer than 100 points for a 111-94 victory.
The question for the Knicks now becomes whether this is something that can be replicated — whether Game 5 revealed a blueprint they can use to even the series at three games apiece.
“In this series, we haven’t lacked scoring, it has been more about us not stopping them from scoring,” Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns said after the game. “I think tonight we did a great job of upping the pressure and making sure we were making it more difficult for them to get open looks and get those shots that they got comfortable with last game. It’s a testament to our team answering the call.”
From the tip, New York harassed Indiana’s starters, flying around the court and swarming. New York held the Pacers' starters to just 13 made field goals on 33.3% shooting. Forward Pascal Siakam was the only starter to reach double-figures in scoring, and he recorded just 15 points. Indiana’s entire first five combined for 37 points; its bench poured in 57.
