INDIANA Pacers secured their place in the NBA Finals following a 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Saturday night (Sunday in the Philippines) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Paskal Siakam led the team with 31 points, which included three three-pointers, along with five rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and one steal to guide the Pacers.
Tyrese Haliburton recorded 21 points and 13 assists, while Obi Toppin and Andrew Nembhard contributed 18 and 14 points, respectively. Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant each scored 11 points, and Aaron Nesmith added 10.
The Pacers clinched the best-of-seven series with a 4-2 record and will advance to the best-of-seven finals for the first time since 2000, where they will face the Oklahoma City Thunder.
“Man, I’m just so proud of this group,” Haliburton said. “I don’t even have words right now. It’s really exciting. We’ll enjoy this one for now. There’s four more, there’s a lot more work to do, against a really tough team.”
Holding a 58-54 lead at halftime, the Pacers surged at the start of the third quarter, led by Siakam and Thomas, to extend their advantage to 78-63.
The Knicks made several attempts to close the gap, but the Pacers ultimately increased their lead in the fourth quarter with baskets from Haliburton, Siakam, and Toppin.
“In 49 states, it’s just basketball,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle. “But this is Indiana. Our guys earned this. Congratulations to our guys.”
OG Anunoby scored 24 points for the Knicks, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 22 points and 13 rebounds. Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, and Landry Shamet contributed 19, 15, and 12 points, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
INDIANA 125 — Siakam 31, Haliburton 21, Toppin 18, Nembhard 14, Turner 11, Bryant 11, Nesmith 10, Mathurin 4, McConnell 3, Walker 2, Sheppard 0, Furphy 0, Johnson 0.
NEW YORK 108 — Anunoby 24, Towns 22, Brunson 19, Bridges 15, Shamet 12, Robinson 8, Hart 4, McBride 2, Wright 2, Dadiet 0, Achiuwa 0, Kolek 0, Hukporti 0.
Quarterscores: 25-24; 58-54; 92-77; 125-108.
