Indiana is in control of the Eastern Conference Finals after a pair of wins at Madison Square Garden. They can put one hand on a spot in the NBA Finals with a Game 3 victory over New York back home at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
Third seed New York – who saw off Detroit and defending champs Boston in six games – had home-court advantage but were edged 138-135 in overtime in Game 1 at MSG.
Tyrese Haliburton (31 pts, 11 ast) produced yet another clutch moment in these playoffs for Indiana, a jumper to tie up the game on the buzzer, after Aaron Nesmith (30 pts) inspired a late rally when New York led by 14 with less than three minutes left. Nesmith finished with 8-for-9 from behind the arc.
Jalen Brunson scored 43 points and Karl-Anthony Towns put up 35 points and 12 rebounds in a losing effort.
Fourth seed Indiana then took Game 2 by 114-109 on the back of a playoff career-high 39 points from Pascal Siakam.
New York led with 14 seconds to go but again couldn’t close it out. Jalen Brunson (36 pts, 11 ast) missed with a late three-point chance to put his side back in front. Towns and Mikal Bridges both finished with 20 points.
No team has come back from losing the first two games at home in a Conference Finals. If New York are to make history, a Game 3 bounce-back is imperative – and they’re only slight $2.05 outsiders to do so.
Indiana are 33-13 at home this season and 4-1 during the playoffs. New York are 29-18 on the road and an impressive 5-1 during this post-season.
New York’s desperation factor may be enough to get them up – and Brunson has been huge in the playoffs – but with Haliburton and Siakam firing, Indiana are tough to overlook for their 11th win from 13 games in these playoffs.