JAKARTA - The biggest trend in the Eastern Region semifinal series between Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks continues in Game 6 on Friday night 17 May. Whether the script remains the same for Game 7, it may depend on the health condition of forward Knicks, Josh Hart.
The Knicks will host Pacers in a decisive match on Sunday afternoon, May 19 or Monday morning WIB where both teams will fight to advance to the final of the region against the Boston Celtics.
Pacers forced this crucial battle with a 116-103 win in Indianapolis on Friday night. With this victory, the home team increased to 6-0 in this series. The last three matches have finished with a difference of 75 points after the first three games were at a difference of 18 points.
For theLESS Knicks, the most worrying sign is Hart, who played less than 31 minutes due to a stomach injury. Hart, who scored five points, eight rebounds, and three assists before leaving with 9:53 remaining in the fourth quarter, previously played an average of almost 44 minutes per game in New York's first 11 playoffs. He played every minute in three games, including a loss in extra time in Game 5 against Philadelphia 76ers in the first half.
"I would think he would play," said Kindernicks point guard, Jalen Brunson. "This is Game 7."
Knicks have lost former All-Star Julius Randle, who missed this season with right shoulder injuries, and Mitchell Robinson, who is expected to be out until at least mid-June after exacerbating a left ankle injury in Game 1 against Pacers on May 6. OG Ananoby has also missed the last four games due to a left hamstring injury.
"You will be physically, mentally, emotionally and you must be able to get through that," said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau, Friday. "So whatever we face, we can overcome it. Keep fighting."
Pacers' job on Sunday was to provide the defense efforts they had shown in their three home games. Indiana limited the Knicks with a shot of 43.9 percent (36-from-82) on Friday, including 38.2 percent (13-from-34) from a distance of 3 points, while ahead of the visitors with 47-35.
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New York shot 41.4 percent in three away games, including 34.7 percent from a distance of 3 points. Knicks shot 52 percent at home, including 42 percent from outside the bow, and outperformed Indiana 53-29 in a 121-91 win at Game 5.
"We need to do better with aggressiveness," Pacers head coach Rick happened. "Game 5 in New York is, I have to say, a game with our lowest level of aggressiveness throughout the playoffs. We don't have a fun film screening session (Thursday) watching it. You have these ups and downs and the youth team will grow."
Knicks is trying to reach the Eastern Region final for the first time since 2000. Pacers have not advanced to the region's final since 2014.
"It will take everything," said Pacers forward Pascal Sikam, who won the NBA championship in 2019 with Toronto Raptors. "A lot of crazy things are going to happen."
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