THE INDIANA Pacers inched closer to the NBA Finals following their 130-121 win against New York Knicks in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Tyrese Haliburton recorded a triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists, and 12 rebounds, along with four steals for the Pacers, who now lead the best-of-seven conference finals series 3-1.
Pascal Siakam contributed 30 points, while Bennedict Mathurin shone with 20 points off the bench. Aaron Nesmith and Myles Turner added 16 and 13 points, respectively.
The Pacers can secure their first NBA Finals appearance since 2000 in Game 5 on Thursday night (Friday in the Philippines) at the Knicks’ home ground, Madison Square Garden.
“This is a big win for us. You can feel good about it for a night, but then you’ve got to be ready to go in Game 5. They’re going to have their backs against the wall,” Haliburton stated.
The Pacers’ outside shooting from Haliburton and Nesmith quickly heated up, allowing them to establish a 43-35 lead. The Knicks managed to take a 64-63 lead before Indiana launched a 6-0 run to lead 69-64 at halftime.
The battle between the two teams intensified in the third quarter before the Pacers pulled away with baskets from Mathurin and Turner, extending their advantage to 102-91.
The Knicks did not easily give in during the fourth quarter, trailing by only seven points before the Pacers sealed the victory with baskets from Obi Toppin and Haliburton.
“Tyrese is a great player and people realize that. He happens to do some very impressive statistical things. But he’s well aware that all of this far transcends statistics,” said Pacers coach Rick Carlisle.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points. OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, and Josh Hart contributed 22, 17, and 15 points, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
INDIANA 130 — Haliburton 32, Siakam 30, Mathurin 20, Nesmith 16, Turner 13, McConnell 6, Toppin 5, Nembhard 3, Bradley 3, Sheppard 2.
NEW YORK 121 — Brunson 31, Towns 24, Anunoby 22, Bridges 17, Hart 12, Robinson 6, McBride 3, Wright 3, Shamet 3, Achiuwa 0.
Quarterscores: 43-35; 69-64; 102-91; 130-121.
