Knicks get chance for Pacers revenge as playoff rivalry adds new layer
NY Post
The deep-rooted playoff history between the Knicks and the Pacers is poised to add yet another chapter.
The Knicks completed an unexpected bouncing of the defending-champion Celtics with a 119-81 thrashing in Game 6 on Friday night at the Garden.
Combined with Indiana’s impressive five-game elimination of the top-seeded Cavaliers, it sets up a second straight year pitting the longtime postseason rivals — this time in the Eastern Conference finals, the Knicks’ first appearance in the league semis since 2000.
The sides also squared off in the second round one year ago, with Tyrese Haliburton and the Pacers surviving the heavily banged-up Knicks squad in seven games before falling to Boston in the conference finals.
The latest head-to-head clash will open with Games 1 and 2 at the Garden beginning Wednesday before shifting to Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse for Game 3 on Sunday.
Consider these past two spring encounters as a strong starting point to renewing the rivalry that saw the Knicks face MSG uber-villain Reggie Miller and the Pacers in postseason play six times in eight seasons between 1993 and 2000.
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