Like many of cinema’s greatest moments, the NBA Playoffs are better when ad-libbing than when sticking to the script at hand. If all had gone according to plan, Westbrook would be gearing up to make mincemeat out of Mike Conley, Nate “I’m On Fire Like NBA Jam” Robinson wouldn’t have poured in 23 points in the 4th quarter on a Thibodeau-coached team, and Kobe would be breaking ankles instead of nursing one.
Now that the second round is around the corner, more unscripted greatness is on its way. But before the first tip-off gets underway, SJN wants to give you a hand in the outlook department.
To help you navigate through the four second-round scenarios, we’ll be breaking down all of the matchups for you―offering lineups, schedules, and predictions.
Eastern Conference:
New York Knicks (2) vs. Indiana Pacers (3)
Schedule:
Game 1 – Sun May 5, Indiana at New York, 3:30 p.m., ABC
Game 2 – Tue May 7, Indiana at New York, 7:00p.m., TNT
Game 3 – Sat May 11, New York at Indiana, 8:00 p.m., ABC
Game 4 – New York at Indiana: Date & Network TBD
Game 5 – Indiana at New York: Date & Network TBD
Game 6 – New York at Indiana: Date & Network TBD
Game 7 – Indiana at New York: Date & Network TBD
There’s as much NBA history in this one as there are in Jason Kidd‘s knees. Both franchises have went at each others’ necks with much chagrin for well over a decade, and much of that animosity favors Indiana who is the more physical team.
Though the Knicks had the better regular season record (58-30), their season series played out to a standstill (tied at 2-2). Both teams had to put down pesky teams that were supposed to present not much challenge, and they did it in six games. But a second-round visit isn’t the prize they have their sights on (even if this is the first time New York has been here in 13 years). Carmelo and his ample line of sharpshooters are looking to bring another championship to New York, and Indiana feels like they’re finally at a championship pedigree. So this will be hard-fought.
The difference-maker won’t be Carmelo, who has been on a tear for about a month now, but rather Indiana’s age and ability to cover the three-point line. Unfortunately for the Knicks, Indiana has the upper hand on both fronts.
The Knicks are a much older team than Indy, which can influence the health of the team in what has already been a postseason heavily marked by injuries. Carmelo is dealing with an arm that is “popping in and out” of his left shoulder, and Stoudemire remains doubtful for Game 1. Not that he’ll help the Knicks much. Indiana’s most consistent player, David West, is its oldest at 32, and beyond that, everyone else is under 27. In a high energy face-off, the Knicks might be gasping for air before it’s over.
Boasting a hardy defense, the Pacers can also claim that they defended the arc better than anyone in the league. Holding opposing teams to 32.7% from deep, a very good five-man unit for Indiana, can, and will, make a living hell for the Knicks. New York loves to bombard teams from three-point land, but Indiana has the capacity to negate that onslaught. From there, the Knicks have the brilliance of Carmelo or J.R. Smith to lean on, but it can come and go at the drop of a quarter (whether the coin or the game slice).
The Pacers will be winning a lot of quarters against the Knicks with the remedy to their greatest strength: exceptional perimeter defense.
Outcome:
Indiana Pacers 4-3 New York Knicks
