The Indiana Pacers got another big win on their home court on Friday, defeating the New York Knicks 116-103 for a decisive victory in Game 7 of the NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series.
Pascal Siakam led Indiana in scoring with 25 points. Tyrese Haliburton had 15 points with nine assists, Myles Turner had 17 points, and six Pacers players scored in double figures.
After an embarrassing Game 5 loss in New York nearly eliminated them, the Pacers played with desperate aggression, outscoring the Knicks in the paint 62-38 and winning the rebound battle.
They kept the offensive momentum going with 35 assists and kept Knicks talisman Jalen Brunson in check all night as they improved to 6-0 at home this postseason.
However, if they want to book a matchup against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals, they will have to follow up with a road trip, with the Knicks hosting Game 7 at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
The Pacers broke a close game with a 17-2 scoring run, extending their lead to 13 points late in the second quarter.
Donte DiVincenzo halted New York's comeback, sinking a 3-pointer from the corner to cut the Pacers' lead to 10 points at halftime, 61-51.
Brunson finished with just five points on 2-of-13 shooting in the first half. He found his range after the break, scoring 14 points in his third and finishing with 31 points.
Miles McBride added 20 points for the Knicks, but New York never threatened in the second half as Indiana picked up the pace.
To make matters worse, Knicks forward Josh Hart left early in the fourth quarter with what the team said was an abdominal pain. He had apparently been suffering from discomfort around his belly button since the first quarter.
The Knicks were already without OG Anunoby, who missed four straight games with a hamstring strain, but this was just the latest in a series of injuries for the Knicks, who will be without star Julius Randle heading into the playoffs. .
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