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Haliburton and the Pacers try to clinch conference finals against New York

Haliburton and the Pacers try to clinch conference finals against New York

Yahoo28-05-2025

Indiana Pacers (50-32, fourth in the Eastern Conference) vs. New York Knicks (51-31, third in the Eastern Conference)
New York; Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Knicks -5; over/under is 222.5
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: Pacers lead series 3-1
BOTTOM LINE: The Indiana Pacers look to clinch the series over the New York Knicks in game five of the Eastern Conference finals. The Pacers defeated the Knicks 130-121 in the last meeting on Wednesday. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 32 points, and Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31.
The Knicks have gone 34-18 against Eastern Conference teams. New York scores 115.8 points and has outscored opponents by 4.1 points per game.
The Pacers are 29-22 against Eastern Conference opponents. Indiana has a 22-15 record against opponents over .500.
The Knicks are shooting 48.6% from the field this season, 1.2 percentage points higher than the 47.4% the Pacers allow to opponents. The Pacers are shooting 48.8% from the field, 1.4% higher than the 47.4% the Knicks' opponents have shot this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Karl-Anthony Towns is scoring 24.4 points per game with 12.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists for the Knicks. Brunson is averaging 29.0 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 46.2% over the last 10 games.
Haliburton is averaging 18.6 points and 9.2 assists for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam is averaging 20.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Knicks: 5-5, averaging 110.5 points, 44.1 rebounds, 19.3 assists, 6.8 steals and 4.1 blocks per game while shooting 45.3% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 111.3 points per game.
Pacers: 8-2, averaging 118.9 points, 39.5 rebounds, 27.3 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.4 blocks per game while shooting 49.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 116.0 points.
INJURIES: Knicks: None listed.
Pacers: Isaiah Jackson: out for season (calf).
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Nick Wright Advises LeBron James To Leave Luka Doncic And The Lakers To Return Home To Cleveland

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Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle listens during a news conference, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, right, motions to players on the court as assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, far left, talks with guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the third quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon, left, holds the trophy near head coach Rick Carlisle after the Pacers won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stands on the sideline before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stands on the sideline before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle listens during a news conference, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, ahead of Game 1 of the NBA Finals basketball series against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Nate Billings) Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle, right, motions to players on the court as assistant coach Lloyd Pierce, far left, talks with guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the third quarter of Game 5 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the New York Knicks, Thursday, May 29, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) Indiana Pacers owner Herb Simon, left, holds the trophy near head coach Rick Carlisle after the Pacers won Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stands on the sideline before Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals of the NBA basketball playoffs against the New York Knicks in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 31, 2025. 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I think that's a reflection of him. 'His teams play a clear identity, stay in character through all the ups and downs. That identity has changed over the years based on his teams, the league trends. But his teams are always in character. This year is certainly no exception.' There are parallels between Daigneault and Carlisle. Both are incredibly smart. Both might lean toward a dry sense of humor. And Daigneault isn't exactly a big-city guy, either. His hometown — Leominster, Massachusetts — has a population of about 43,000, which makes it an absolute metropolis compared to Lisbon and its population of about 4,300. Advertisement Big city, small town, no matter one's roots, Daigneault said everyone feels the same way getting to the finals. 'Every single person that's participating in this, whether it's coaches, players, staff, there was a time in their life when this was just a dream,' Daigneault said. 'This wasn't a foregone conclusion for them. 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