The key to the New York Knicks winning this playoff series is the Coach Tom Thibodeau. His teams have came up short several years in the playoffs. He was the coach of the Chicago Bulls and Minnesota Timberwolves that had ugly playoffs performances. Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle is a wizard a making adjustments.

First Quarter

Set the tone both teams came out with energy and hitting shots. Jalen Brunson Knicks star point guard took a hard foul and landed awkwardly. Thankfully he bounced back up after laying on the for a minute. The quarter ended 36-34 New York up by 2 points.

Second Quarter

New York made a great run that was almost wasted due to some bone headed plays. Karl Anthony Towns Knicks forward basketball IQ is embarrassing, for someone with his talent. He look like he’s lost some of the time and commits stupid fouls.

Pacers didn’t take advantage and ended the quarter down by seven points going into halftime.

Third Quarter

The game play is everything you wanted as a fan of the NBA. Both teams playing hard on defense and fighting for every rebound. Indiana Pacers won the second chance scoring opportunities. Pacers won the quarter 25-21

Fourth Quarter

Brunson had to sit early after collecting his fifth foul. No problem. OG Anunoby Knicks forward hit a 3 pointer and then posted up for another quick bucket. That prompted Indiana to call timeout to talk to his guys. That didn’t help much Knicks continued to run up the score.

Karl Anthony Towns had a great 4th quarter playing big around the rim. Indiana forward Aaron Nesmith hit 5 consecutive 3 pointers to keep Indiana in the game. Nesmith then added another 3 pointer to pull the Pacers within 2 points of the Knicks with 22.1 seconds left in the game.

Towns was fouled and hit 1 of 2 free throws with 13.9 seconds left on the clock. Nesmith was sent to the foul line intentionally and hit both free throws. Indiana did the same to OG Anunoby he missed the first one and hit the second free throw.

Indiana down by two points got the ball to their best player Tyrese Halliburton who hit a long 2 field goal to send the goal into overtime.

Overtime

Karl Anthony Towns hit a shot that got the crowd back into the game. The Pacers Nesmith hit another 3 keeping Pacers on the Knicks heels down by 1. Pacers took the led by 1 with 1:44 in OT.

The game is absolutely nerve wrecking as a Knicks fan. Knicks lose a game they had in the bag and it was the terrible coaching job by Thibodeau down the stretch.