(Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers lost Game 5 and were forced into a do-or-die Game 6 situation against the New York Knicks.
The series has been an absolute war between the two Eastern Conference rivals as New York tries to impose it’s toughness and physicality on the young, upstart Pacers.
However, Indiana’s been more than willing to answer the call and they showed how resilient they can be after a great Game 6 performance where they won, 116-103.
The Pacers were able to take control of the game in the second quarter as they simply out-executed the Knicks on both ends of the floor.
Following their second-quarter run, Indiana held serve in the second half to force a Game 7 back at Madison Square Garden.
It was a gutsy performance from the Pacers that impressed people like Magic Johnson, who gave his props to head coach Rick Carlisle after the game was over via his personal Twitter account.
“The Pacers got their payback and embarrassed the Knicks tonight! Coach Rick Carlisle did a masterful job preparing his team to play,” Johnson tweeted.
The Pacers got their payback and embarrassed the Knicks tonight! Coach Rick Carlisle did a masterful job preparing his team to play.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 18, 2024
Carlisle has done an excellent job with series adjustments and figuring out ways to spring his players open against a strong Knicks defense.
Carlisle’s one of the few head coaches in the league that understands what it takes to win an NBA title and he’s showing his experience in this series.
However, even Carlisle and his staff will have a lot to sort through between now and Game 7 as winning a closeout game on the road is about the hardest thing an NBA team can do.
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