The New York Knicks defeated the Indiana Pacers 121-91 in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals on Tuesday, May 14.
This handed victory comes just two days after the Indiana Pacers dominated the Knicks 121-89 in Indiana during Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals. However, there was one key difference between the Knick's offense in Game 4 vs. Game 5, and his name was Jalen Brunson. Brunson led the Knicks with a game-high 44 points, his fifth 40+ point game of this postseason, becoming the first player with five 40+ point games in a playoff run since Lebron James in 2018. Brunson also finished the game with seven assists and four rebounds and shot 51.6% from the field.
Protect The Garden 🔒
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) May 15, 2024
Brunson 44 PTS | 7 AST
Burks 18 PTS | 5 3PM
Hart 18 PTS | 11 REB
Deuce 17 PTS | 4 AST
Hartenstein 7 PTS | 17 REB | 5 AST pic.twitter.com/Gk8mTLJQ0x
Knicks’ forward Josh Hart finished the game with a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, however Knicks center Isaiah Hartenstein les the game in rebounds, grabbing 17 total boards, out of which 12 were offensive rebounds. Hart and Hartenstein combined for 28 rebounds, just ten shy of the total rebounds the Indiana Pacers grabbed in Game 5 with 38. The Knicks out-rebounded the Pacers 66-38 in Game 5, including the Knicks recording 20 offensive rebounds to the Pacers 5.
The Pacers were led by forward Pascal Siakam, who finished the game with 22 points, eight rebounds, and two assists, leading Indiana in points and rebounds for Game 5. Indiana’s all-star guard Tyrese Haliburton finished the game with 13 points and five assists, and center Myles Turnder scored 16 points, however the seven-footer only grabbed five rebounds.
The Knicks are just one win away from their first conference finals appearance since 2000, and they travel back to Indiana for Game 6 on Friday, May 17. The Pacers hope to keep their season alive and force a Game 7 by capturing a win at home.
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