Knicks vs. Pacers Series Preview: Challenges & Expectations

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00:00Knicks and Pacers will start it up Wednesday midweek.

00:04They will start it up Wednesday midweek.

00:07Of course, Game 1 will be at the Garden.

00:08Why don't we start by hearing from Tom Thibodeau.

00:11Of course, the Knicks played the Pacers last year in the second round,

00:15which they ended up losing.

00:17Here's Thibs on the matchup.

00:18Tom, any early thoughts on Indiana and the problems that they pose

00:23and how they play in just the matchup in general?

00:25Again, style of play, and they're an excellent basketball team,

00:30strong on both sides of the ball.

00:33Their ability to push the ball is a defensive transition,

00:37but when you look at their guard play, particularly with Halliburton,

00:42Nembhardt, and McConnell, they can push and they can break you down off the dribble,

00:48so you've got to be very disciplined in your approach.

00:51They can spread you out.

00:52You know, Shaquem and Turner are very talented bigs.

00:55So we understand what the challenge is.

00:59Listen, they really do press.

01:03They really run.

01:05Their physical guards, all of them are in your face with the chest, the body.

01:13They're bangers.

01:15Their bigs can shoot.

01:17Turner can shoot threes at will, ad nauseum, and knock them down.

01:22He shoots the three ball way better than Cat Towns.

01:25He really does.

01:27He's dangerous.

01:28And I'm telling you, they got their hands full with this team.

01:31They're a problem.

01:32They're faster.

01:34They run.

01:35You know, they're a running, gunning team.

01:37They really move the ball and get up and down the court.

01:40They play defense in your face on the perimeter.

01:43It's not going to be easy for Brunson, Hart, or McBride, or Payne, or anybody on that perimeter.

01:53And they guard it.

01:55They got the Iron Dome out.

01:57I mean, they're serious.

01:58I mean, look, they beat them last year.

02:01Now, I know the team's a little different.

02:03And I also know that the Knicks were injured last year in that series.

02:07They had serious problems health-wise.

02:09But it is what it is.

02:12You know, last year, they had injuries, and they lost.

02:15Yesterday, Gordon had an injury, and they lost.

02:18The Celtics had Tatum injury, Achilles, and they lost.

02:22These teams come into this healthy.

02:25And so now it's just straight up who's better.

02:28And I think the Pacers are a problem for the Knicks because of all the things I just said and their depth.

02:34They're 12 deep.

02:36They play 12 guys.

02:37The Knicks only play seven.

02:40Mike said it best.

02:42They were up 40, and they wouldn't put anyone in.

02:46They wouldn't put in Kolek.

02:48They wouldn't put in Shamit.

02:50They just don't play anyone besides the seven that he plays.

02:55And it could come back to haunt them.

02:57I want the Knicks to win desperately.

02:59I'm dying for the Knicks to win a championship.

03:00Believe me.

03:01I still think, I really do.

03:04I hate to say this.

03:05I'm totally for the Knicks.

03:07I think the Pacers are better.

03:09Well, the Knicks are the favorite before the series starts.

03:14Slight favorite.

03:15Minus 146.

03:17Plus $1.24 for the Pacers as they will get going on Wednesday night.

03:23As far as game one goes at the Garden, Knicks are laying four in that game one Wednesday night at the Garden.

03:32Yeah, like, I'm on the Pacers with the four points.

03:37Like, they are not afraid of the Knicks.

03:39They've won at the Garden a million times.

03:41They always play well.

03:43They play better against the New York Knicks than any team in the league.

03:49The one team that has success in the Garden and in history always has been the Indiana Pacers.

03:59And that they are just licking their chops to go in there and steal game one and game two.

04:06Like, that's their plan.

04:08They have no plans on going home down, you know, even or down two.

04:13It's just not in the cards for them.

04:15The Knicks will have their hands full Wednesday night, as sure as I'm sitting here.

04:20Everyone thinks the Knicks have won the title already in New York.

04:22Everybody's dancing in the street.

04:24Frank's still drunk.

04:25Frank's still drunk.

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