Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Indiana’s hit squad shot up the Knicks

The Pacers whacked the hobbled Knickerbockers in Game 7 at Madison Square Garden. Vibrations of Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau’s curses could be felt at Central Park. The hosts conceded 67.1% of field goals. And supporters are still stuck with memories of greatness, and a growing number of them didn’t see it live or in person.

To make matters worse, the basketball gods showed their cruelty; Jalen Brunson fractured his left hand, and OG Anunoby lasted five minutes before the masterminds on the sideline said, “Hey, maybe he shouldn’t be playing on his mangled hamstring.”

Josh Hart also gave a brave and dumb effort, playing with an abdominal injury. His cojones got him a standing ovation after 37 brutal minutes. In Game 7 and the series, his efforts are reminiscent of Boxer in George Orwell’s Animal Farm- the horse who worked until he couldn’t stand.

Yet early, Pascal Siakam was unleashed, downing five of six baskets on a pick-and-pop jumper, cut, and transition attacks.

Tyrese Halliburton dribbled inside the lane for a turnaround jumper and hit four trays.

And Aaron Nesmith, TJ McConnell plus Andrew Nembhard defended New York’s Brunson, holding him to three of eight first-quarter field goals.

Donte DiVincenzo was the high Knick, tallying four left-side jump shots for a dozen marks on 44.4% accuracy.

Through 12 minutes, the Pacers led 39-27, registering 76.2% of attempts to the hosts’45.8%.

Subsequently, the visitors neutralized Brunson, coming off screens downhill, and successfully contested Miles McBride’s deep shots and layup on time. But they couldn’t restrain Alec Burks from supplying 14 points, pressuring the rim and pulling up from midrange.

Yet, the Pacers’ offense feasted, producing 13 of 17 shots. Nesmith, Nembhard, McConnell and Myles Turner each logged two baskets.

The Pacers were ahead 70-55 at halftime. On top of that, the guests had 24 paint points, three on the break, five via second chances, four off turnovers and 15 from the bench.

The Pacers became the first team in NBA history to score 70 points in the first half of a Game 7 on the road on 76.3% shooting.

The Knicks showed admirable pride, cutting their deficit from 22 to 15, but they held on like a prize fighter three rounds away from getting stopped. They had 24 interior points, three in the open court, eight on extra tries, eight off turnovers and 20 from the reserves.

Then the Pacers follow up with a strong third quarter out of intermission. Nesmith added 11 more points, shooting at the elbow and driving into the lane. Haliburton finished a layup on the break and splashed two 3-pointers. And McConnell made two close-range buckets.

Defensively, the Pacers were burned for five of 11 trifectas, being slow to recover to the handoff up top, not setting a high enough pick-up point in transition and getting shot over.

In the third quarter, Brunson hurt his left hand and was subbed out with four minutes left. He didn’t return.

Next, the fourth quarter began with the guests up 101-84.

The Knicks made six of 12 baskets to open the frame, but they were still behind 17 points with five minutes left. On the other side, the Pacers powered up, notching seven of 12 looks in the same period.

The Knicks were so battered that Hart logged three fourth-quarter minutes, and Precious Achiuwa and Alec Burks had 11.

The Pacers won 130-109. Furthermore, the group had 52 paint points, 11 on the break, six via second chances, 15 off turnovers and 28 from the bench.

The Pacers’ double-digit scorers were Haliburton (26), Nembhard (20), Siakam (20), Nesmith (19), Turner (17), and McConnell (12).

The Knicks had 38 paint points, 17 in the open court, 14 on extra tries, 12 off turnovers and 38 from the reserves.

The Knicks’ leading scorers were DiVincenzo (39), Burks (26, Brunson (17) and Hart (10).

The Pacers tied the second most field goal attempts ever made in a Game 7, per NBA Communications.

The Pacers will now face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said postgame, “When you win a Game 7 at Madison Square Garden, you’ve made history.”

Haliburton said his group is the deepest in the league and shouted out the bench. “We got five, six guys ready on the bench at all times.”