Knicks annihilate Pacers for 3-2 lead

MANILA, Philippines – The New York Knicks took a commanding 3-2 lead in the NBA Eastern Conference semifinals after obliterating the Indiana Pacers, 121-91, Wednesday morning (Manila time) at the Madison Square Garden. 

The Knicks are now one win away from making their first conference finals since the 1999-2000 season.

Jalen Brunson scored at least 40 points for the fifth time this postseason, finishing with 44 points and making 18 of his 35 field goals. He had seven assists and four rebounds. 

Back-to-back-to-back 3-pointers by Myles Turner cut New York’s huge double-digit lead to just seven, 63-70, in the third quarter. 

The Knicks then erupted as they broke the game wide open with a 19-1 run capped by a Josh Hart floater to go up, 89-64. 

A triple by Ben Sheppard halted the run as Indiana tried to storm back. 

Come the final canto, the Pacers inched closer, 84-96, with a trey by Pascal Siakam.

But Brunson and New York heated up once again, ending the game with a 25-7 run to grab the pivotal Game 5. 

The Knicks, missing key pieces Julius Randle, OG Anunoby, Mitchell Robinson and Bojan Bogdanovic due to injury, had plenty of help. 

Josh Hart and Alec Burks backstopped Brunson with 18 points apiece, while Deuce McBride added 17. 

Siakam led Indiana with 22 points and eight rebounds. 

New York will try to close the series out on Saturday (Manila time) in Indiana.