3 Nuggets for the Pivotal Game 4 of the East Finals

There is a proverb in life that many different roads lead to the same destination. It feels like this applies to the path of the Eastern and Western Conference Finals series. In the West, the Thunder leads the Timberwolves 2-1, with the home team winning the matchups by a combined 73 points or an average of 24 points. However, in the East, the Pacers have grinded out a 2-1 lead against the Knicks, with the road team winning by a combined 14 points and the games decided in the final minutes, including two massive comebacks. So, will this pattern continue? The Timberwolves will get their shot tonight as the home team looks to hold serve, while the Knicks will look to ride the momentum of the Game 3 comeback to even their series. In this article, we will preview the Knicks and Pacers Game 4 by examining three factors that might decide the outcome.

1. Play fast and let it fly- the Pacers is an apt moniker that describes the playing style of the basketball franchise from the Hoosier State in 2025. The offense flows when the ball and player movement take place quickly potentially leading to make or misses. It led the Pacers to establish a 55-35 lead in the second half when they were seemingly cruising to an unassailable 3-0 in the series. Instead, in the fourth quarter, the team lacked an offensive flow late in Game 3 which hindered them on the defensive end. It led to a poor quarter, which gave the Knicks hope and a way back into this series. Also, the Pacers struggled from the three-point line by connecting only five from distance, but during the playoffs, they averaged 13 makes from distance.

2. Kat needs to keep on his cape-one of the most distinctive and iconic parts of Superman’s attire is his red cape. The Knicks were staring down the abyss of an 0-3 deficit in Game 3, and teams are 0-159 when trailing by that deficit in a series. The Knicks need to be rescued, and Karl Anthony Towns seemingly put on his cape and carried the team on his back. Towns asserted himself by driving to the basket and muscling his way into position for more scores. The former Kentucky Wild Cat started the fourth with a 3-pointer before making two layups to get New York within 82-79. Towns dominated the fourth quarter to inspire his team by scoring 20 of his 24 points and grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds. If the Knicks are to even this series, they will need Towns to continue their 4th quarter resurgence rather than the passive nature of his play to start the game.

3. Nesmith’s injury status looms over Game 4-the playoffs make unlikely players become playoff heroes. In game 1 of this series, Aaron Naismith had his moment by scoring 30 points including 20 in the fourth quarter and nailing five three-pointers. Nesmith proved the unlikely hero to propel the Pacers to the improbable comeback. However, in Games 2 and 3 he scored only 20 points combined, but his defense on Jalen Brunson has been invaluable to his team. The bad news for the Pacers is that the former Vanderbilt product suffered an injured ankle during the 3rd quarter of Game 3, and there is uncertainty whether he will be able to play. The player is listed as questionable, and Pacers Head Coach has declared that Nesmith will be a game-time decision. If Nesmith cannot play, the Pacers will struggle to slow down Brunson and make the task difficult especially if this game is close.

Prediction- I think the Knicks will like their chances if this game is close, and their game plan will be to stay attached on the scoreboard. However, I think the Pacers will look to dominate Game 4 and keep their foot on the gas pedal. In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, they won the opening two games in Cleveland, and lost Game 3 after feeling too comfortable before throttling the Cavaliers by 20 points in Game 4. I think it will be closer, but I think the Pacers will deliver in a pivotal game.
Pacers 115-Knicks 105