Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Pacers take a commanding 2-0 lead with the series shifting to Indiana

Pascal Siakam was the go-to man and stabilizer across 17 lead changes and 17 ties in the Pacers’ Game 2 win in New York. They snatched a 2-0 lead for the second time in the playoffs on the road, and he set a playoff career-high of 39 points, making 65.2% of attempts. His coach, Rick Carlisle, said he had a special game. “In the first half, he was the guy who got us going and got us through some difficult stretches.”

Droves of Knicks supporters were waiting to celebrate in the streets, but they went home as crestfallen as they had been for the last 25 years. Perhaps coach Tom Thibodeau can summon Red Holzman’s ghost for counsel. Or he can suck up to the boss by playing Dolan’s music from JD & the Straight Shot so he doesn’t fall out of favor. 

First, Siakam had 16 of Indiana’s 24 first-quarter points, attacking on the break plus hitting fadeaways and a 3-pointer. After the Pacers went up by 10 points, New York throttled back with three dunks by OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson’s deep shooting, ending the frame up 26-24.

Knicks reserve big man Mitchell Robinson turned into the dollar store Bill Russell for 16 straight first-half minutes, denying shots and picking up extra possessions. Additionally, Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns did the heavy lifting, but neither side could grasp control. Siakam followed up with another open-court gash, a jumper over Towns with contact and scored on a broken possession, charging to the hole on the right side. 

The Pacers were down 52-49 at halftime and no one other than Siakam got to the line. On top of that, he was the lone Pacer who had logged more than three field goals (9).

Then Tyrese Haliburton picked up his scoring in the third quarter, and Siakam was flawless on four attempts at short and long range. Yet, aside from missing five freebies, Indiana guarded the arc poorly, conceding four treys, and was tied at 81 going into the fourth quarter. 

Siakam added another fastbreak layup and triple, but Myles Turner’s detonation on rim attacks and jumpers was the main force that held off New York’s late rally, sparked by Brunson and Mikal Bridges. Indiana even got away with not fouling Brunson on his 3-point attempt to tie.

The Pacers won 114-109, getting their sixth road dub of the playoffs. They also had 17 points off 12 New York giveaways and shot 43.3% on 3-point tries.

After the game, Siakam said, “We’re not really thinking ahead. [We’re] focused on Game 3 at home…”

Andrew Nembhard was asked about being unfazed, playing in a hostile environment. He said that because the team has experience, “Playing in MSG doesn’t feel as big as it did last year.”

Game 3 is in Indiana on Sunday.