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It wasn’t Tyrese Haliburton torturing the Knicks this time.
It wasn’t Aaron Nesmith erupting in the fourth quarter again. It wasn’t Andrew Nembhard hitting back-breaking shots.
Call it the Pascal Siakam game.
He delivered one of the best performances of his career in the Knicks’ 114-108 Game 2 loss to the Pacers on Friday night at Madison Square Garden.
He finished with 39 points on 15-for-23 shooting from the field — by far his best scoring night of not just the postseason. but the entire season.
Siakam thrives in transition, and the Knicks were a mess in that department Friday night.
The Pacers finished with 14 fast-break points — seven more than the Knicks. Siakam constantly leaked out on defensive possessions and beat the Knicks down the floor.
OG Anunoby primarily matched up against Siakam and struggled.
Siakam was a key part of the Raptors’ championship win in 2019 but has often been more of a complementary piece in Indiana.
When he plays like he did Friday night, it elevates the Pacers’ ceiling incredibly.
He was quieter in the fourth quarter, but with the Knicks trailing 106-99, Siakam grabbed a key offensive rebound and was fouled.
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He hit both free throws to extend the Knicks’ deficit to 108-99 with 3:32 left in the game.
A few possessions later, he hurt the Knicks the way he did all game — leaking out in transition, getting a perfect leading pass from Haliburton and finishing at the rim to give the Pacers a 110-100 lead with 2:45 left in the game.
Defensively, Siakam held Anunoby to 16 points. Anunoby was extremely passive after a hot first quarter.
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