Pacers go up 2-0 vs Knicks

MANILA, Philippines — The irrepressible Indiana Pacers opened up a 2-0 lead over the New York Knicks in the Eastern Conference finals with a 114-109 win at Madison Square Garden on Friday.

The series now moves to Indianapolis with the Pacers in control after Pascal Siakam led them with a playoff career-high 39 points.

Cameroonian Siakam was well-supported though with all the Indiana starters making double figures.

Myles Turner put up 16 points while Tyrese Haliburton had 14 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds. Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard had 12 points each and T.J. McConnell added 10 from the bench.

It was a different game to the high-scoring Game 1 where Indiana looked dead and buried before an astonishing comeback from 14 points down late in the game, forcing overtime before triumphing.

The Knicks showed some resilience fighting back in the fourth quarter from ten points down to make it a one point game before the Pacers closed out the contest.

The Pacers have now won six straight playoff road games since their defeat at Milwaukee in the first round.

The score was tied at 81 entering the fourth quarter before the Pacers surged ahead with a 29-19 run.