Jalen Brunson has been playing phenomenal basketball this postseason, averaging a scorching 36.6 points per game through seven games. In game 1 of the semifinals series against the Indiana Pacers Brunson once again carried the Knicks offensively. He scored 21 of his 43 points in the fourth quarter to get the first win of the series for the Knicks. With the performance, he tied Michael Jordan with his fourth consecutive playoff game with 40 points or more. Though the Knicks are now just three games away from their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years one possible issue remains. With the Knicks numerous injuries can they continue to win with Brunson needing to carry so much of the offense load.
Though the Knicks won game 1 against Indiana, the Pacers could pose a problem for the Knicks over the course of the series due to their high octane offense. In the regular season, the Pacers had the best offense in the league and continue to score at a high level in the playoffs averaging 113.6 points per game. The Pacers also have far more options offensively as they led the league in bench scoring with an average of 47.9 points per game. The Knicks on the other hand are polar opposites as their bench averages just 28.4 points per game. What makes those numbers significant is that the Pacers got 46 points from their bench while the Knicks got just three points out of their bench. The Knicks obviously get a lot of their offense from their starting lineup especially with Brunson but over the course of the series fatigue could come into play.
The Knicks-Pacers series is a classic battle of styles as the Pacers play at very fast pace while the Knicks are the slowest paced team in the league. The winner of the series will likely come down to which team is able to force the other to play at their style. In game 1 the Pacers scored 117 points but the Knicks hot shooting from three point range (47.8%) was a difference maker. Another key stat to watch over the course of the series is fast break points as though the Pacers like to run the floor the Knicks had more fastbreak points. The biggest factors that could decide the winner of each game is rebounding and free throws made as any opportunity to get extra possessions or points will be important for either team.
Ultimately, I am going with the Knicks to win the series though they will need to do a better job finding offense outside of Brunson. The Knicks defense will be the biggest advantage in the series as getting timely stops will make the difference in each game of the series. Though the Pacers have a potent offense their defense has been one of the worst in the league this season which will likely give them challenges in clutch time as it did in game 1.
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