Knicks Riding High: Can They Keep the Pacers Down?
The New York Knicks are cooking right now, winners of three straight and looking to make it four when the Indiana Pacers roll into Madison Square Garden tonight. This isn't just about another notch in the win column; it's about building momentum, solidifying their spot, and frankly, sending a message. Jalen Brunson has been playing out of his mind, averaging 35.8 points and 6.6 assists over his last five games, including that monstrous 45-point effort against the Blazers last week. That's the kind of play that elevates a team.
Look, the Pacers, sitting at 15-53, are a different animal than the one the Knicks will face in a potential playoff series. They're dead last in the Eastern Conference, a full 10 games behind the 14th-place Detroit Pistons. Their recent form isn't inspiring either, with losses in nine of their last ten outings. They dropped their last game to the Celtics by 25 points, despite Tyrese Haliburton chipping in 20 points and 11 assists. But even bad teams can catch fire on any given night, especially when there's nothing left to lose. Remember when the Wizards beat the Warriors twice in a row back in 2021? Stranger things have happened.
**The Garden's Roar and Playoff Stakes**
This isn't just a regular season game for the Knicks. They're 44-25, comfortably in third in the East, but the Cavaliers and Magic are nipping at their heels. Every win matters for seeding. A strong finish could mean home-court advantage in the first round, and anyone who's been to a playoff game at MSG knows what that means. The atmosphere is electric, a tangible force that can swing games. The Knicks are 24-11 at home this season, a testament to that energy.
Thing is, the Knicks can't afford to get complacent. They've had their share of sloppy games against lesser opponents this year. Remember that inexplicable loss to the Grizzlies back in January, where they shot just 38% from the field? That kind of effort won't cut it against playoff teams, and it certainly shouldn't happen against a Pacers squad missing half their rotation due to various "ailments." Haliburton is a legitimate star, but even he can't carry a team single-handedly when the supporting cast is struggling to hit water from a boat. Myles Turner, who's been a consistent presence for Indiana with 17.0 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, will need a monster night if the Pacers have any hope of keeping this close.
My hot take? The Knicks actually need to blow the doors off the Pacers. Not just win, but dominate from start to finish. A close game against a team like Indiana, at home, would be more concerning than a loss to a true contender. This is an opportunity to refine their rotations, get some bench guys like Precious Achiuwa some quality minutes, and build confidence before the real grind begins. I expect Josh Hart to flirt with another triple-double after his 17-point, 13-rebound, 7-assist performance against the Kings.
Tonight, the Knicks extend their winning streak to four games, securing a convincing victory by at least 15 points.