Pacers prevail at home with a 111-106 win against New York Knicks

After back-to-back defeats in New York against the Knicks, the Pacers rallied together to perform on home court and get themselves back into the series.

Tyrese Haliburton scored a big 35 points for the Pacers as they won at home by five points.

Josh Hart scored the first three pointer for the Knicks to start off the game in Indiana, but Pascal Siakam answered by with a couple points for the home side.

After great play from Haliburton on the court, he found teammate Aaron Nesmith, who scored his first three-pointer in the opening quarter.

Another clean play combining Haliburton, Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard together saw 2024 All-Star Haliburton finish off the move with a three-pointer from the corner.

Precious Achiuwa scored two points for the Knicks with his second shot, after his first attempt was blocked.

Indiana’s Ben Sheppard pounced on a lose ball pass from Achiuwa to storm down the court and score two points, to build an eight point lead with five minutes of the first quarter to go.

Myles Turner got the better of Knicks’  Isaiah Hartenstein as he drove past him to score two points, helping Pacers to a 20-8 lead.

Hartenstein got the Knicks to 10 points after the assist by Hart and great defensive play by Achiuwa denied Pacers’ Turner a rebound after Haliburton missed a corner three pointer for the Pacers.

With an impressive drive down the court, New York’s Hart brushed past Haliburton for a lay-up basket.

Jalen Brunson got his first two points of the game for the Knicks as he held off Nesmith inside the three-point arc. 

Donte DiVincenzo posted back-to-back three pointers for the Knicks, with the first coming after a fast break down the court led by playmaker Hart. The second came after a pass from teammate Brunson.

Pacers’ Nesmith rounded off the first quarter with a corner-court three pointer. 

The second quarter started off with Miles McBride as he scored a three for the Knicks and DiVincenzo got in on the act for two points after combining well with Hartenstein. 

T.J McConnell drove to the basket to lay up for the Pacers but DiVincenzo hit back with his third three pointer for the Knicks.

McConnell grabbed another two points for Indiana, after going up against Hartenstein.

DiVincenzo scored two points for the Knicks, and took his points tally to 15 in 13 minutes of play.

After going head-to-head against DiVincenzo, Haliburton posted up another three pointer, and was showing glimpses of his play from Game 2.

With over three minutes and 20 seconds left of second quarter, the Knicks led Pacers by one sole point at 49-48. 

Haliburton was a constant threat to the Knicks and terrorised the court, collecting a whole seven points including a three pointer to put Pacers up for 55. 

Brunson capitalised off Haliburton with a steal for the Knicks to score a bucket. Siakam laid up to score two points for the Pacers after getting past Hart. 

Pacers’ centre Turner started the third quarter by scoring four points for the team to lead the Knicks 67-58. He continued in the same fashion when he dunked over Knicks’ Hartenstein.

Haliburton and Siakam each hit a corner three-pointer as the Pacers led 77-68. DiVincenzo hit another three pointer for the Knicks off a Brunson pass after Achiuwa blocked a shot from Pacers’ Haliburton.

With the final quarter in full action the Knicks were 90-85 on the Pacers, hoping to further stamp their ground in the semi final play-offs.

Pacers’ Turner responded with a three of his own to reduce the gap by six.

Nembhard finished off a Haliburton drive to put the Pacers ahead by one point, 104-103.

Brunson produced a step-back three pointer for the Knicks to tie the game 106-106 with 41 seconds left to play in the final quarter.

However, Nembhard produced an outrageous three pointer to give the Pacers a three point lead.

Nesmith added two points from free throws as they led 111-106 with just over three seconds left of play.

With the 111-106 victory for the Indiana Pacers, they trail New York Knicks 2-1 in the semi finals series. The Pacers are at home again for Game 4 on Sunday, as they aim to level the tie.