Knicks on the Edge: Can They Overcome Defensive Breakdown After Game 4 Loss to Pacers?

INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks just didn’t show up. The defense was practically nonexistent, and the game felt more like a casual pickup match than a playoff showdown.

On Tuesday night, the Indiana Pacers steamrolled the Knicks with a decisive 130-121 victory that put them one step closer to the NBA Finals. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge, scoring 32 points and dishing out 15 assists, while the Pacers shot an impressive 51.1 percent from the field.

The Knicks struggled right from the start. They had trouble keeping pace with the Pacers’ intensity. “We didn’t match their pace and inspiration,” said Karl-Anthony Towns. Despite fine performances from Jalen Brunson and Towns, who combined for 55 points, they couldn’t hold back the flood. The team also committed 17 turnovers, giving the Pacers 20 easy points.

Mikal Bridges, who usually makes an impact, had a quiet night. “I didn’t play my best game,” he admitted. The team just looked flat.

In contrast, the Pacers played with fire. They dominated the paint, racking up 50 points and scoring 22 in transition. When Obi Toppin hit a late three-pointer, it sealed the win and left the Knicks reeling.

Mitchell Robinson echoed the sentiment, saying, “They played with more intensity. We should’ve matched it.” But the Knicks didn’t. They trailed by as much as 15 points and, although they narrowed the gap in the fourth quarter, their inability to get crucial stops cost them.

As the series progresses, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Knicks need to win three straight games to advance, a daunting task against a Pacers team that hasn’t lost back-to-back games all postseason. The pressure is on, especially with Game 5 looming at their home court, where they’ve struggled to gain momentum, facing elimination for the first time this season.

Recent statistics support the urgency of the moment. According to a recent NBA survey, teams that succeed in closing out series tend to carry momentum into the next round. If the Knicks don’t find their footing now, they risk falling short in a quest that began with so much promise.

As the Knicks prepare to return to the Garden, they’ll need to rethink their strategy. Communication and intensity have to be at the forefront of their game plan. Coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized this need for connection on the court: “We have to play with the proper approach and force.” Without this, their chances of advancing remain thin.

The clock is ticking, and the Knicks must rise to meet the challenge or face an early exit. It’s now or never.

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