New York is scared, but pushes Indiana back into “money time.”

The Knicks and Pacers Those who saw themselves with Madison Square Garden, participating in the 6th place in the Eastern Conference, promised the team that will win this meeting.

So far he has it New Yorklogical victory overIndiana (119-113), taking part in the leadership race from start to finish and above all, he could rely on their excellent performances. Jalen Brunson (34 points) and RJ Barrett (27 points, 8 rebounds). in front of Buddy Hield (31 points, 8 rebounds) tried everything to win his team money timein vain.

Note the damage output of Tyrese Haliburton (15 points, 7 assists), Myles Turner was also injured – should have lost before the start, left. Julius Randle (14 points, 16 rebounds) drives the racket.

WHAT TO REMEMBER

— New York started well with a great start. If the Knicks are now in 6th place in the Eastern Conference, it’s largely due to their fiery first quarter (37-21) that saw them take control right away and then not let it go. Tom Thibodeau’s men thus exploded a Myles Turner-less Pacers defense, both in the paint and behind the 3-point line, behind the excellent Jalen Brunson, who was inevitable from far and near and well supported by the nightmare RJ Barrett. Hence the great basketball and the lead they later capitalized on.

— Indiana cannot confirm this the return. Still trailing by more than twenty points in the third quarter (78-53), the Pacers managed to get back to -3 or even -2 early in the fourth quarter. money time. To do this, they especially tried to increase the speed as quickly as possible, limit the ball losses and restore the address on 3-pts, which quickly put the Knicks in trouble. The problem: Despite Buddy Hield, Bennedict Mathurin or TJ McConnell, Indy was too short in the end because Jalen Brunson, for example, was there to watch the grain in hot moments.

— The return of RJ Barrett. The Canadian, who was sidelined for two weeks with a finger injury, finally found the floors, and he was also quite good on the relay from Jalen Brunson. While he had some trouble shooting (9/23 shooting, including 4/12 3-pointers), the New York winger made up for his team with his aggressiveness in scoring. Also a rebounder and valuable defensively, he’s had a promising recovery there (averages 26 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists between Dec. 9 and Christmas) in line with his pre-injury production.

TOPS/FLOPS

✅ Jalen Brunson. Unbearable since Christmas (averaging almost 31 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists), the New York leader confirmed that he is in brilliant form. It was he who got his team off to a great start in the first act, especially an impressive streak of 13 straight points that led to a +10. He was the one who pushed the Pacers back in the second half, with shots in the third quarter and then especially with 7 straight points. money time, when they return to -2 (105-103). He is indeed proving to be one of the most “clutch” players in the league this season.

✅ Buddy Hield. Supported by the duo of Benedict Mathurin (20 points) and TJ McConnell (14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) off the bench, the Bahamian again confirmed himself as the leader of the Indiana attack. Even when he had a lackluster first half (5 points, 2/7 shooting), his shooting quality (3 points on 7/15 in the end) is such that you should never let your guard down against him. the pain of seeing him regain his confidence directly. In the second half, when the back end brought the Pacers back into the game with a variety of award-winning feats (which earned him some possessions to ignite…).

⛔ Injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner. Although originally expected to start the match as a starter, Turner was forced to withdraw minutes before kick-off due to back pain. A blow to the Pacers, orphaned by their best interior defender, probably explains their terrible start at the defensive end. But if that wasn’t enough, Rick Carlisle’s men also lost during the game, with their playmaker Haliburton suffering a knee injury late in the third quarter and not returning to the game…

⛔ The excitement of New York. In control in the third quarter, the Knicks had everything for an easy victory. In particular, the Pacers’ best player, Tyrese Haliburton, was injured minutes before the start of the fourth quarter. Yeah, but here’s the thing: Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson’s teammates are notorious for faltering when you least expect it, and this time it’s compounded by silly turnovers, 3-pointers and ineptitude. to slow down, they nearly gave Indiana a win at the plate, which obviously wasn’t asking for much.

NEXT

New York (23-19) : Trip to Washington, Friday to Saturday night (01:00).

Indiana (23-19) : Atlanta reception, Friday through Saturday night (01:00).