Halfway There: NBA Eastern Conference Final Preview

By Michael Anderson

30 teams turned into 20.

20 teams into 16.

16 teams into 8.

Now we’re here.

And then there were four.

The Eastern Conference series is one we as fans know all too well….

Pacers vs Knicks: WWE-esque Storytelling.

Last June, WWE SmackDown had a show at Madison Square Garden, and the then United States Champion Logan Paul brought Pacers guard Tyrese Halliburton to the ring. Considering this was just a few days after the Pacers beat the Knicks in game seven of their conference semi-finals, it was perfect timing to get fans to boo at MSG.

Part of that reaction came from Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, who got cheered just as loud as he helped Paul’s rival at the time, LA Knight, pin him in a match.

All four men faced off in the ring after the match until Paul and Halliburton left the ring.

Did Knight eventually take the US Title from Paul? As Knight would say, “YEAH.”

Will Brunson and the Knicks get their revenge on Halliburton’s Pacers? Well…

That’s not that simple or just down to the two guards.

Indiana has proven to be a well-oiled machine. Joining Halliburton is forward Pascal Siakam, who leads the team in scoring in these playoffs.

He’s shooting 44% from three-point range and is the second-worst perimeter shooter in Indiana’s starting five.

Believe it or not, fellow starting forward Aaron Nesmith (48.2%), starting center Myles Turner (45%), and starting guard Andrew Nembhard (50%) all have helped shoot the lights out in most of their games. T

As a team, they lead the playoffs in field goal percentage and hit half their shots. They also score 117.7 points per game in this postseason. Only the Cleveland Cavaliers (119.4 PPG) scored more per game. The keyword is scored because Indiana just beat Cleveland in four out of five games. They did the same to Milwaukee thanks to their pace and shooting.

The Knicks are the Yin to the Pacers’ Yang…

Yes, Brunson, fellow starting guard Josh Hart, and starting center Karl Anthony-Towns have played well in these playoffs. Those three and starting forwards OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges have shut teams down in these playoffs.

They are fourth best in points allowed (105.9) and field goal percentage at 37%. It’s a staple of how Coach Tom Thibodeau leads.

The Knicks are built with toughness and gritty play. It explains how they came back twice in Boston despite being down by 20 last round. It explains how they were able to win three games in Detroit in round one.

Prediction: Pacers in 6.

The shooting in Indiana is going to be very key. Halliburton “only” makes a third of his threes, but if everyone else in their starting five is making them as proficiently as they have been, the Knicks will have problems. Turner vs KAT will be a massive matchup. Can Turner somewhat slow Anthony-Towns, who’s been really impressive in these playoffs?

After the injuries and getting blown out in the last two games in last year’s series, the Knicks have their own story to finish.

About the Author

Michael Anderson is a remote studio producer for SiriusXM and a passionate voice in the world of sports media. Follow him on X and YouTube.