Is Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals a must-win game for the Pacers against the Knicks?

Alex Walsh

Is Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals a must-win game for the Pacers against the Knicks? image

Indiana struggled to be competitive with the Knicks in Game 5 and now face what feels like a must-win game on Saturday night.

Only 13 teams have ever pulled off a 3-1 comeback, but with it now 3-2, a win on Saturday for the Knicks makes this series dead even.

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Why does Indiana have to win Game 5?

The Pacers seemed to be in control of the series, but an elimination game at Madison Square Garden is never going to be an easy task.

The Knicks understand the opportunity they have in front of them and don't want to give up even if it takes winning three games in a row.

They do have the benefit of playing Game 7 at home should they get to that point, which is why what felt like a big lead in the series for Indiana can shrink very quickly.

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New York is just 4-5 at home this postseason after tonight's win.

A replicated performance from Game 2 or Game 4 will be needed by Indiana to get to the NBA Finals on Saturday.

The offense looked all out of sorts in Game 5 and their defense let the Knicks get to the basket way too easily.

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They were giving up weak fouls on and-ones that didn't help either.

Action resumes this Saturday for Game 6, as Indiana looks to clinch their first Eastern Conference title since 2000.

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Alex Walsh

Alex is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. A current Sports Media major at Hofstra University in New York, he is a huge Celtics and NBA fan who gets way too many notifications from NBA insiders on X. He became interested in PDC Darts at the beginning of 2024 and has been obsessed ever since.