Knicks Comeback Stuns Pacers

 

    Usually it's Indiana who is on the receiving end of making miraculous comebacks, this time the Knicks stole the spotlight in Indianapolis, coming back from a 20 point deficit to defeat Indiana 106-100 in game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals. 

    Indiana led 55-35 in the second quarter and it seemed like the Pacers were going to put the Knicks on the brink. No team has ever come back from a 3-0 series deficit in  NBA history. The Pacers crowd sensed that the Pacers were so close to putting their arch rivals in a hole that would be impossible to overcome. Indiana led by as many as 20. New York trimmed the lead to 13 at half but there wasn't a sense of panic. The Pacers were in full control of the game. Then the fourth quarter began and everything began to change. 

    The Pacers were leading by ten going into the fourth quarter. Indiana had gotten New York into foul trouble with Jalen Brunson and Karl Anthony Towns having four fouls each. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until it wasn't. The fourth quarter became the Karl Anthony Towns show. He scored 20 points in the fourth quarter alone which matched the Pacers total in the quarter as a team. New York went on a 32-18 run in the fourth to surge ahead. Towns contributed on New York's first 17 points in the quarter either by scoring or rebounding. 

    Indiana who had been shooting tremendously from the floor during the series struggled on Sunday night. The Pacers were the only team in the playoffs to shoot 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three point range. Indiana on Sunday night shot 42 percent from the floor and a dismal 5-25 from the three point line. 

    Indiana was led in scoring by Tyrese Haliburton who scored 20 points. Also scoring in double figures for the Pacers were Pascal Siakam with 17 points and Myles Turner with 19 points. T.J. McConnell off the bench scored 12 points. This was the first game in which the Pacers starting five failed to score in double figures since game 4 of the Conference Semi Finals against Cleveland. Aaron Nesmith didn't have a double figure scoring night due to a sprained ankle he suffered in the third quarter. The Knicks were led in scoring by Towns who scored a game high 24 points. New York also received double digit scoring games from Brunson with 23, Mikal Bridges with 15, and OG Anunoby with 16 points. 

    Indiana has become used to game 3 letdowns. The Pacers lost game 3 in both the first round against Milwaukee and second round against Cleveland only to come back and win games 4 and 5 of those series to advance to the next rounds. Perhaps this is a good omen for the Pacers and their fans. Game four is set for Tuesday night at 8 pm. Indiana will look to take a commanding 3-1 series lead over their arch rivals heading back to New York.