Nesmith Went 3-Point Crazy Against The Knicks
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
By Andrew Rosario
43 Points Not Enough For Brunson And Knicks
Photo: Special to the NY Beacon
When the Indiana Pacers eliminated the depleted New York Knicks in game 7 of the Easten Conference Semi-Finals last year at Madison Square Garden, they came out with an offensive explosion. Indiana connected on an unheard of 76% field goals in the first half. At the end of the 130-109 rout, the Pacers ended the night shooting 67% from floor and 54% from 3-point land. In game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals Wednesday night at the World’s Most Famous Arena, lndiana picked up right where they left off last year.
The Pacers had not played in 8 days after eliminating the #1 Seed Cleveland Cavaliers in 5 games who had won 64 regular season games. They looked fresher than the Knicks as they took an early 16-9 lead. New York would rebound after the Pacers took their biggest lead of the quarter at 27- 20 as they outscored Indiana 16-7 to end the quarter for a 36-34 first quarter lead.
Knicks captain Jalen Brunson and center Karl-Anthony Towns scored 18 and 15 points at the end of the first half as the Knicks took a 69-62 lead going into the
locker-room. The Pacers were led by Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner who scored 14 and 12 points. For the first time, Indiana would win a quarter as they outscored the Knicks 25-21 as they closed the gap and trailed 90-87 going into the final quarter. Brunson would start to begin the fourth despite having 4 fouls. The Knicks began the quarter taking what looked like an insurmountable lead. The Pacers had other things in mind.
At one point the Knicks took a 17-point lead (111-94) after Towns drains a 3-pointer with 6:28 left. Soon after, Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith would turn into Reggie Miller and would go on a 3-point barrage. Nesmith nailed 6, 3-pointers beginning with 4:45 left bringing the team within 12 at 113-101. He would torch the Knicks with more over the last 3 minutes, the last coming with 22.1 left that got his team within 2 at 123-121. It did not help that the Knicks would miss crucial free throws down the stretch (OG Anunoby and Towns missing 3 of 4) although OG did convert his last 2 free throws to take a 125-123 lead. The Pacers would get the ball back with 7.3 left looking to tie or win the game outright.
Haliburton gets the inbound pass dribbles towards the basket only to get cut off by Mitchell Robinson. He dribbles back to the top of the key and gets the shot off. It hits the back of the rim, bounces high before going through the basket. At first, it appeared to be a game winning 3-pointer. After review, Haliburton’s right foot was on the line and it was ruled a 2-point basket sending the game into overtime.
New York would take an early 4-point lead (129-125) before the Pacers made their move. Guard Andrew Nembhard scored the next 5-points giving Indiana a 130-129. Brunson responded by scoring 6-points in a row giving them their last lead at 135-134. Nembhard and ex-Knick Obi Toppin scored 2-points each to end the scoring coming away with the 138-135 win stunning the home, sold out crowd.
A clearly dejected head coach Tom Thibodeau said of the loss afterwards, “there’s a lot of emotional highs and lows in the playoffs. You’ve got to bounce back quickly. You look at the film, make your corrections and get ready for Game 2.” Brunson, who finished with a game high 43 points said, “in the playoffs, when you win it’s the best thing ever and when you lose it’s the worst thing ever.”
Towns finished with 35 with Anunoby and Mikal Bridges finished with 16 each. All 5 Pacers starters scored in double figures with Haliburton leading his team with 31 and Nesmith with 30 points. Nesmith connected on 8 of 9 3-pointers.
The Knicks have now put themselves in the position where game 2 Friday night is a must win as they do not want to go down 0-2 having to play games 3 and 4 on the Pacers home court.
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