The Knicks Must Confront Their Challenges and Take Action

This time, there was no letdown, just revulsion. This time, the Knicks could extract no empty comfort from yet another fourth-quarter collapse, just the harsh truth that the Pacers hold dominion over them when it matters most, and will continue to do so until proven otherwise. Even within the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden. 

Maybe especially here. 

The Pacers return home with firm control over these best-of-seven Eastern Conference Finals. They did not require a miraculous rally this time. No need for an odd bounce. They executed their game plan over the course of 48 minutes: managed the tempo, maneuvered the match-ups to their favor, and protected their lead more effectively than the Knicks managed two nights prior. 

The score ultimately stood at 114-109 in favor of the Pacers. The fourth-quarter tally read 33-28, Pacers. Throughout the initial two rounds of these playoffs, the Knicks had made the fourth quarter their own domain. They had dominated the Pistons in the fourth quarter, then unsettled the Celtics. But not this time. Not in this series.