The Pacers traded for Pascal Siakam with their eyes towards their playoff future. That future arrived Friday in a must-win Recreation 6.
Siakam, who received a title with Toronto in 2019, price the Pacers three first-round picks in a midseason commerce, nevertheless it was properly value it after “Spicy P” delivered 25 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists in Indiana’s 116-103 win, forcing a Recreation 7 on Sunday in New York.
He was extremely environment friendly within the win, capturing 11-of-21 from the sector. Siakam did all his harm within the paint, discovering holes within the Knicks protection with free-throw line jumpers and drives to the rim.
Indiana took management of the sport with a large run late within the second quarter, and the Knicks by no means received nearer than 5 factors the remainder of the best way.
The Knicks didn’t simply lose the sport Friday. They misplaced one other participant in a season filled with accidents. Josh Hart left with an obvious stomach damage, and after returning to the sport, he headed to the locker room early within the fourth quarter. For Hart, who performed each minute of 4 totally different playoff video games this postseason, it is likely to be fairly severe.
Indiana had six gamers rating in double figures and emphatically received the rebounding battle, 47-35. The group with probably the most rebounds has received each recreation of this collection, as has the house group.
However it’s Pacers vs. Knicks. Primarily based on historical past, this collection was at all times going to be a battle, and it was at all times heading to a seventh recreation. It’s only a disgrace the sport is on ABC. The Madison Sq. Backyard ought to get to boo TNT broadcaster Reggie Miller another time.
