Siakam Leads Pacers to Crucial Win
Pascal Siakam’s stellar performance, with 25 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, helped the Pacers defend their home court in Game 6. Supported by five players scoring at least 15 points each, the Pacers pushed the series to a decisive Game 7.
Historical Comparison with Oladipo
Siakam became the first Pacer since Victor Oladipo in the 2020 first-round Game 4 to achieve at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in an elimination game. Unlike in 2020, when the Pacers were swept by the Heat, this time they have extended the series.
Previous Game 7 Battles
The last time the Pacers faced a Game 7 was in the 2018 first round against the Cavaliers. Led by Oladipo, they ultimately fell to LeBron James after a hard-fought series. Historically, Game 7 has often spelled heartbreak for the Pacers, including losses to the Raptors in 2016 and the Heat’s “Big Three” in 2013. However, they did triumph over the Hawks in 2014, reaching the Eastern Conference Finals.
Reggie Miller’s Last Stand
Reggie Miller’s final season in 2004-05 saw the Pacers win a grueling 7-game series against the Celtics before falling to the defending champion Pistons in the second round. The 1998 Eastern Conference Finals against the Bulls also ended in disappointment, despite the Pacers’ efforts to thwart Michael Jordan’s quest for a three-peat.
Rivalry with the Knicks in the ’90s
The mid-’90s featured intense battles between the Pacers and Knicks, especially during Michael Jordan’s first retirement. The Pacers lost to the Knicks in the 1994 Eastern Conference Finals but avenged that loss in the second round the following year, only to be defeated by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Pacers’ Game 7 Record
Since joining the NBA, the Pacers have a 3-6 record in Game 7 situations. Meanwhile, the Knicks have participated in 15 Game 7s, with a 7-8 record. The Knicks’ last Game 7 was a second-round win over the Heat in 2000, and their last home Game 7 was a narrow loss to the Pacers in the 1995 playoffs.
A Renewed Rivalry
After nearly three decades, the Pacers and Knicks will rekindle their rivalry in a decisive Game 7 with new rosters. Fans eagerly await to see who will advance to the Eastern Conference Finals in this highly anticipated matchup.(Phlwin)