NBA news: Indiana Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton clinch Finals berth with victory over New York Knicks
In a thrilling Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, the Indiana Pacers secured a decisive 125-108 victory over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden to advance to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000.
The Pacers’ performance was nothing short of spectacular, setting an NBA play-off record by shooting a remarkable 76.3% from the field in the first half – the highest postseason mark since 1997.
Next up, the Pacers will face off with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the NBA Championship.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Harrison Pearce examines how the Pacers were the better team over the series and looks ahead to the Finals.
Haliburton leads the charge
All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton was instrumental in the Pacers’ victory, contributing 21 points and orchestrating the offence with precision.
His leadership on the court was evident as he set the tone early and kept the team focused throughout the game.
Centre Myles Turner praised Haliburton's impact, stating: “We have a historic offence obviously, but this guy got things rolling and everybody kind of just followed suit.”
Turner himself added 11 points and two rebounds, while forward Pascal Siakam contributed 31 points and five rebounds.
Guard Andrew Nembhard also made a significant contribution, scoring 14 points.
Knicks struggle amidst injuries
The Knicks faced significant challenges throughout the series, with injuries repeatedly depleting their roster.
And to cap it all off, star point guard Jalen Brunson fractured his left hand during the second half of Game 6 to add to the team's woes.
However, with all that said, the Knicks’ efforts fell short primarily because they struggled to contain an elite Pacers offensive onslaught.
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Performance bodes well for future
The Pacers’ victory was a testament to their offensive prowess and overall resilience.
Their 33-point second-quarter performance put them in good stead at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, setting the stage to maintain a commanding lead for the rest of the game.
This victory also marks a significant milestone for the franchise, ending their 25-year absence from the NBA Finals.
Indiana will now aim to secure a first-ever NBA Championship by overcoming an imperious Oklahoma City Thunder side, with Game 1 scheduled for Thursday night.
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