Not only could the Knicks obviously lose if they have to play game 7 Monday night in Boston, but I will also say right now if they don't end it tonight, they will not beat Indiana in the ECF, even if they win game 7 in Boston (which would be unlikely IMO). I think tonight is a huge must win for the Knicks, both to end this series and to have a legit shot at beating Indiana. Win tonight, move on to the ECF for the first time since 2000, get 4 days' rest, and go from there hosting Indiana Wednesday night at MSG. That has to be the formula. I do believe the Knicks will play well and end it tonight, but they have to get it done.
Couldn’t have asked for a better night. A complete laugher to get to the ECF. The Pacers will be tough but home court advantage for a chance to get to the finals. Great season they can hopefully continue.
Totally agree, tonight was perfect. Got the win, didn't have to sweat it, and the starters didn't play crazy minutes. Now they get 4 days off to rest and get ready for the Pacers at MSG starting Wednesday night, series goes every other day from there, every game is 8 PM on TNT. All I ask is TNT does not give us Reggie Miller, please. Hopefully it's Eagle and Hill. As for the series, I think the Pacers are a very good team as they have shown thus far. They are better than the team that beat us in round 2 last season. It is going to be a long tough series. If the Knicks win, I think it will be in 7, if the Pacers win it will be 6 or 7. Overall, I think it is a total tossup series that either team can win, most likely destined to be 7 games. The Knicks, and Tibs (keep playing McBride and Robinson 20 mpg +/- each), will need to be at their best, playing smart focused basketball at both ends to win. Should be a lot of fun.
Pacers are the most underrated, disrespected team I can remember in a while. That beat the shit out of Cleveland. Knicks can't have their top center play like a dumbass half the games in this series if they expect to win.
Totally agree on the Pacers, they are really good, this series concerns me. With that said, I get your point about underrated, but I see a lot of people picking the Pacers to win the series, more than I see people picking the Knicks. From an "expert" picking POV, the Pacers are favorites. Vegas has the Knicks as the favorite at -135, and the Knicks are +360 to win the title, second to OKC at +135. It's kind of interesting the pickers are taking the Pacers; the odds are favoring the Knicks. As I wrote, I see a 6 or 7 game series, and like last season if I had to pick, I'd say it's a 7-game series. The Pacers are essentially the same team as last season outside of Mathurin, who didn't play in the series last season. He is a good add for them, but the biggest difference is their growth and maturity, they gained experience and are simply put a better more confident team this season than last season. I thought the Knicks should have beaten the Pacers last season no doubt, but injuries obviously hurt them. I don't feel that way this season, I think it's a razor close series, and truthfully, I give the Pacers a small edge. The Knicks had no Robinson, no Randle, OG got hurt during game 2 and was done for the series (not counting a 5 minute clearly still hurt game 7 appearance). They lost Hartenstein and DiVencinzo, but added Bridges, Towns, Robinson, and OG healthy. So, the Knicks are better as well. I know the Pacers will win a game in NY, will the Knicks win in Indy, I'm not as sure. They are really good at home, and not as good on the road. That's the story of the series, can the Knicks get one in Indy, if they can we'll get a 7-game series, and the Knicks can win game 7 at home. If they cannot, the Pacers will win in 6. BTW - I'd love to see Denver beat OKC. VERY VERY slim chance they will, but I would love it.
Just read Kevin Harlan/Reggie Miller will be calling the Pacers/Knicks series on TNT (their final series as they lose basketball after this season), total BS IMO. How do you put all-time Pacers legend, and Knicks hater on the call for this series, do better TNT. The NBA is not a fan of the Knicks from what I see. I like TNT miles more than ESPN for both the basketball and hockey playoffs but putting Miller on the call is a joke. Not only does he have the Pacers/Knicks history, but I would also tell you he is nowhere near their best analyst, IMO he actually sucks at his job even without the Pacers/Knicks ties. How he moved to their # 1 team is beyond me. Give me Eagle/Hill or Dedes/SVG/Anthony. I like Harlan, but I'm not sure how Miller is his partner, poor decision.
