The Indiana Pacers have seized full control of the Eastern Conference finals following a thrilling 114-109 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 2 on Friday. With this victory, the Pacers now hold a commanding 2-0 lead in the series, heading back to Indianapolis with the opportunity to potentially clinch the series at home. Historically, teams that establish a 2-0 lead in the conference finals boast an impressive record of 76-6 all-time.
The Pacers kicked off the game with a strong start, momentarily building a double-digit lead. However, the Knicks quickly fought back to stay competitive, resulting in a nail-biting contest that featured a total of 17 ties and 17 lead changes. Although this game may not have matched the high drama of Game 1, it certainly delivered excitement right to the final buzzer.
Leading the charge for the Pacers was Pascal Siakam, who exploded for a staggering 39 points, shooting an impressive 15 of 23 from the field, establishing a new playoff career-high. His performance was supported by a balanced offensive effort, with six Pacers scoring in double figures. Notably, Tyrese Haliburton contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists despite struggling with his shooting.
On the opposing side, Jalen Brunson shone for the Knicks, netting 36 points along with 11 assists. Both Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges added 20 points each, but their efforts fell short against the Pacers' dynamic offense. The next showdown, Game 3, is set for Sunday at 8 p.m. ET in Indianapolis.
Reflecting on the Pacers' decision to trade for Pascal Siakam ahead of last season's trade deadline, it’s clear the move has significantly benefitted the team. In exchange for Bruce Brown, Kira Lewis Jr., Jordan Nwora, and three first-round picks, the Pacers secured Siakam, who has been instrumental in their success, helping them reach back-to-back conference finals.
Siakam's aggressive play in Game 2 was evident as he scored the Pacers' first 11 points and tallied 23 points in the first half, during a time when his teammates struggled offensively. He consistently made crucial plays down the stretch and emphasized the team-first mentality: “At the end of the day, like, we're a team. It doesn't matter who scores. We just want to win the game.”
With their thrilling Game 1 win, the Pacers have firmly taken control of this matchup. Now up 2-0, they return home to Indianapolis with a chance to close out the series without having to return to New York. Historically, the odds are in their favor, as teams that lead 2-0 in the conference finals have a dominant all-time record.
It's essential to note that, of the six teams that have overcome a 2-0 deficit in the conference finals, all were lower seeds that lost the first two games on the road. The Knicks face a tough challenge, as no team has ever come back to win after losing the first two games of the conference finals at home, a feat they would need to accomplish to turn the tide in this series.
The Pacers displayed remarkable offensive prowess in Game 2, scoring 113 points while shooting 51.8% from the field. They assisted on 26 of their 43 baskets and committed only 10 turnovers. This marks the seventh consecutive playoff game where the Pacers have scored at least 100 points and recorded at least 25 assists, a feat matched by only two other teams since 1987.
Throughout the playoffs, the Pacers have achieved an outstanding offensive rating of 118.9, leading all remaining teams by a significant margin. They also rank first in assist percentage (66.5%), second in turnover percentage (12.1%), and second in pace (98.38). The Pacers have mastered the art of playing at a fast pace while maintaining control, showcasing their depth and stamina against their opponents, making it exceedingly challenging for teams like the Knicks to keep up.
