The Indiana Pacers are one win away from their first appearance in the NBA Finals since 2000.
Indiana took a commanding 3-1 series lead in the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night. Indiana set the tone from the start of the game. Tyrese Haliburton had a triple double, Pascal Siakam had 30 points and Ben Mathurin had 20 points off the bench to help Indiana defeat New York 130-121. Indiana now heads back to New York looking to take the next step and advance to the NBA Finals.
Tuesday night was the Tyrese Haliburton show. He became the first player in NBA playoff history with a game of at least 30 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and zero turnovers. His 15 assists without a turnover are the most by a player in Conference Finals history. Not only was Haliburton scoring, he was setting the tone with his passing. Indiana shot 63 percent from the floor just on passes from Haliburton alone. After blaming himself for the Pacers losing a double digit lead in game 3 and the game slipping away on Sunday night, Haliburton vowed to be more aggressive in game four. Safe to say he was that and much more. Haliburton is now the Pacers all time leader in triple-double games in playoff history breaking a tie with Mark Jackson, Paul George and Victor Oladipo.
In addition to Haliburton being more aggressive, the Pacers as a unit were much more aggressive on Tuesday night. Indiana got back to their usual way of playing this season which has made them so hard to defend. The up tempo, run and gun style that the Pacers are known for was in full force in game four. The Pacers scored 130 points which was the most they have scored in regulation all season and the second most they have scored in the playoffs. Indiana shot 51 percent from the floor and 40 percent from three point range. In game three the Pacers became more conservative on offense and Tuesday night they got back to what makes them one of the toughest teams in the NBA.
Indiana was led in scoring by Haliburton's 32 points. Also contributing in double figures for Indiana was Pascal Siakam with 30 points, Aaron Nesmith added 16 points despite a sprained ankle suffered in game three. Myles Turner added 13 and Ben Mathurin added 20 points off the bench in a bounce back game that was sorely needed.
The Pacers once again proved to know about what their problems were in the previous game and the ability to adjust for the next game to come out with a win. The Pacers have lost game three in every series they have played in these playoffs, only to turn around and win game four every time to take a 3-1 series lead.
New York had a balanced scoring output. The Knicks received double digit contributions from several players. Led By Jalen Brunson's 31 points. Also scoring in double figures for New York included 24 points from Karl Anthony Towns, 22 points from OG Anunoby, 17 points from Mikal Bridges and 12 points from Josh Hart.
New York now has their backs against the wall. Their only chance to come back and win this series is to win three games in a row against a team that hasn't lost back to back games since March. Tall task ahead for the Knicks.
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