Pacers Dominate Knicks, Even Series With Blowout Win
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks, 121-89, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday.
The Pacers have been playing better with each passing game in the series, and that was combined with the Knicks feeling their lack of depth due to several absences due to injury. Indiana jumped to a 34-14 lead in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the contest. A 35-27 score in the second quarter boosted Indiana’s lead, and by the time halftime arrived, Indiana was holding a 28-point advantage. A 32-22 score in the third quarter bolstered the Pacers’ advantage even further, so the game was already decided when the fourth quarter arrived. New York won the final quarter by a 26-20 lead, but it was not enough to sniff a comeback. The series is now tied 2-2, with Game 5 scheduled for next Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
Tyrese Haliburton led the way for the Pacers with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. Pascal Siakam recorded 14 points and four rebounds, and Myles Turner chipped in with 13 points, five boards and three blocks. T.J. McConnell posted 15 points and 10 assists coming off the bench. The Pacers shot 56.8 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from deep.
Alec Burks led the Knicks in scoring with 20 points off the bench. Jalen Brunson was the lone starter who scored in double digits for the Knicks, notching 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Miles McBride had 16 points coming off the bench. The Knicks shot 33.7 percent from the field and 18.9 percent from deep.
The Pacers have been playing better with each passing game in the series, and that was combined with the Knicks feeling their lack of depth due to several absences due to injury. Indiana jumped to a 34-14 lead in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the contest. A 35-27 score in the second quarter boosted Indiana’s lead, and by the time halftime arrived, Indiana was holding a 28-point advantage. A 32-22 score in the third quarter bolstered the Pacers’ advantage even further, so the game was already decided when the fourth quarter arrived. New York won the final quarter by a 26-20 lead, but it was not enough to sniff a comeback. The series is now tied 2-2, with Game 5 scheduled for next Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
Tyrese Haliburton led the way for the Pacers with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists. Pascal Siakam recorded 14 points and four rebounds, and Myles Turner chipped in with 13 points, five boards and three blocks. T.J. McConnell posted 15 points and 10 assists coming off the bench. The Pacers shot 56.8 percent from the field and 45.2 percent from deep.
Alec Burks led the Knicks in scoring with 20 points off the bench. Jalen Brunson was the lone starter who scored in double digits for the Knicks, notching 18 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. Miles McBride had 16 points coming off the bench. The Knicks shot 33.7 percent from the field and 18.9 percent from deep.
Nuggets Win Second Straight In Minnesota
By Dan Bruno
The Denver Nuggets defeated the host Minnesota Timberwolves, 115-107, in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals at Target Center on Sunday evening.
The Timberwolves jumped out to an early five-point lead, but the Nuggets battled back to take a five-point advantage into the second. The visitors picked up the momentum and rallied to add another 10 points to their advantage by halftime. The Nuggets stayed in control through the third, but the hosts managed to trim it back to an 11-point deficit heading into the final frame. The Timberwolves kept up the fight through the fourth, but the Nuggets stayed a step ahead and held on to close out the series-tying road win.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 35 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block, in 39 minutes. Aaron Gordon followed up with 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists, a steal and two blocks, while Jamal Murray tallied 19 points, five rebounds, eight assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 44 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 45 minutes. Mike Conley followed up with 15 points, two rebounds, nine assists and a steal, while Karl-Anthony Towns totaled 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday in Denver.
The Timberwolves jumped out to an early five-point lead, but the Nuggets battled back to take a five-point advantage into the second. The visitors picked up the momentum and rallied to add another 10 points to their advantage by halftime. The Nuggets stayed in control through the third, but the hosts managed to trim it back to an 11-point deficit heading into the final frame. The Timberwolves kept up the fight through the fourth, but the Nuggets stayed a step ahead and held on to close out the series-tying road win.
Nikola Jokic led the Nuggets with 35 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals and a block, in 39 minutes. Aaron Gordon followed up with 27 points, seven rebounds, six assists, a steal and two blocks, while Jamal Murray tallied 19 points, five rebounds, eight assists and a steal.
Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 44 points, five rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block, in 45 minutes. Mike Conley followed up with 15 points, two rebounds, nine assists and a steal, while Karl-Anthony Towns totaled 13 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Game 5 is scheduled for Tuesday in Denver.