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2024 Playoff Thread: Knicks @ Pacers, Game 3, Win One for the OG-er Opener, which is not a thing

The Knicks head to Indiana to take on the Pacers, now down one of their most indispensable players, OG Anunoby.

That is a huge blow for the Knicks, but he might actually return this series, so the Knicks really just need to split these next two games to be in the driver’s seat still (even two losses in Indiana aren’t a devastating turn of events).

The Pacers have been so embarrassing this series that they would have to shock me to make me change my thoughts that the Knicks are going to handle them pretty well even without OG.

We shall see, though. Today the series could change…or it couldn’t. We shall see tonight how it will be.

Let’s go, Knicks!

428 replies on “2024 Playoff Thread: Knicks @ Pacers, Game 3, Win One for the OG-er Opener, which is not a thing”

The closer we get to the game the better I feel about it… could it be the alcohol I’m chugging?

Let’s Go DOOMED Knicks!

I ask for mercy from the basketball Gods… please, no more injuries! 🙏
Gooooo Knicks! 🏀

Go Knicks!

No more litigating the past.

I really hope we start Duece and I really really hope Brunson is healthy.

Never doubted you Brian.

I doubt we win but it’s all gravy from here, or something.

I don’t see many Knicks fans. Pretty nervous about going into the lions den solo on Sunday.

I’m not feeling my usual anxiety here because I’ve made peace with this run being a lost cause. Still, I hope we win somehow.

Not thrilled to see Precious starting instead of Deuce. C’mon, Thibs…

Going down in the first means we’re going to win, it’s a mortal lock

This lineup would have last been playable around 2008. Why is Thibs the last NBA coach to learn you need more than 2.5 shooters on the court?

That move by Nesmith was bush league.

Brunson waving for someone to pick up Tyrese also strangely looked like a footballer asking for a yellow card for simulation.

I’m watching only ESPN play by play bc I’m at my son’s soccer game. My phone looks ugly.

Brunson sitting is double plus ungood. We should shut him down and punt this game, seriously.

Brunson sitting is double plus ungood. We should shut him down and punt this game, seriously.

Agreed

Agree with the shutdown if he’s limping. Was there any “all clear X-rays negative” from the Knicks office. I saw nothing.

We should be perfect to win this game and so far we’re not…

But we’ve seen this before…

I get that Thibs wants to start with size and play Precious, but he kills spacing .

Ignoring the Mcbride lineup seems like a bad idea

We really have no quit

But maybe we should take this game off and get people a little healthier

I got “Bloodshot” with Vin Deisel all lined up on Hulu but here they come, creeping back…

We need to calm down. I feel like we are on tilt offensively a bit. They are not a good defensive team. if we relax and work our sets we can get the shots we want.

We’re getting good opportunities and not converting. We’ll normalize. Keep the faith!

Agree with the shutdown if he’s limping. Was there any “all clear X-rays negative” from the Knicks office. I saw nothing.

We’ll start getting reliable injury updates from this organization sometime after Donald Trump releases his tax returns.

The Pacers are incredibly hyped and are full of adrenaline we just have to hang in there for a few more minutes

I got “Bloodshot” with Vin Deisel all lined up on Hulu but here they come, creeping back…

This is an interesting characterization of them having nearly double our score…

Thibs doesn’t know this?

Did you not mention it at the meeting?

Sims smacked the wrong Pacer in the head.

But at least he’s got the right idea.

Breen, in utter amazement voice: “Alec Burks set to check in!”

Brunson looking not close to 100%. On pace to go 4-20 with 12 turnovers 🙁

Being down 8 is a pretty good outcome after their good shooting and our terrible shooting

Brunson clearly missing lift off that foot. Thibs knows he’s got to widen the rotation. Let’s see if the bench can give us anything.

Being down by 8 isn’t that bad after all the turnovers and Jalen getting clobbered/bothered by his foot/not in rhythm yet.

Somewhere, during the Sixers series, Deuce McBride lost himself and he’s still searching…

Jericho Sims hasn’t seen this many minutes since the dunk contest.

(Also perma-bench him he’s genuinely unplayable.)

Some signs of life, really emptying the bench with Burks and Sims

Being down 8 is a pretty good outcome after their good shooting and our terrible shooting

I don’t understand this kind of sentiment. We aren’t entitled to equivalent shooting numbers. They are likely to continue greatly outperforming us with half our team sitting out and our best player looking like he ought to be doing the same…

I’d say the refs are going to let the Pacers play physical against us, but we’re not going to get the same treatment.

Unless we go nuts from three, this ain’t happening.

So you’re saying there’s a chance…

Unless we go nuts from three, this ain’t happening.

Exactly why the lineups Thibs is playing are absolutely braindead. We need to juice the variance to have any hope of stealing one in our depleted state. We should be going 4-out with Burks and Deuce filling OG’s minutes.

Paga, the idea is that if we have a relatively normal shooting game, we’ll be in it. It’s not like I’m saying this in the fourth! That said, yeah, our offense doesn’t look like it’ll light the world on fire. But maybe it will!

I don’t understand this kind of sentiment

I don’t understand how relentless pessimism is cathartic for you, but each one, teach one.

Aloe Bonks draws a loose ball foul, that’s a positive contribution already

It’s Friday night, if the team stands no chance why watch..

I hate that the broadcast is saying, since game 1, that we sell the fouls at the same time that they agree that it’s a foul. Come on, if it’s a foul it doesn’t matter if we sell it, right?

Finally Divo converted on one of those

Edit: he’s got the 3 going though

Does it need to be said for the umpteenth time that this team never quits?

I think i’m hearing Knicks fans. Can they be at upper stands and that’s the reason we don’t see them? Or maybe i’m imagining it. LOL

I hate that the broadcast is saying, since game 1, that we sell the fouls at the same time that they agree that it’s a foul. Come on, if it’s a foul it doesn’t matter if we sell it, right?

100%

“Yes, it’s a foul, but…” is a stupid sentiment

#Burks lurks and hurks?#

After googling it ..Yes!

We Re HERE to PLAY!

We’re the modern version of the gas house gang…feel like the game should be in black and white…16mm

Surprise, surprise, the Knicks are back in the game. I don’t know how some of you, after watching this team all year, keep panicking if we are down double digits in the 1st quarter. 😛

Just need to keep it going. Stay close. I guess the plan is going to be short spurts of Brunson. I’d imagine he’ll play more in the second half if it’s close.

Burks was rope-a-doping all regular season, that’s what I choose to believe.

Surprise, surprise, the Knicks are back in the game. I don’t know how some of you, after watching this team all year, keep panicking if we are down double digits in the 1st quarter.

Or the 2nd, or the 3rd… we’ve seen it all season long… 😁

” My name is spelled A_L_E_C B_U_R_K_S” Thank you KBers

Sex Cauldron? I thought they shut that place down!

Alec Burks.
Jericho Sims.
Precious Achiuwa.
Shake Milton.

We have depth.

This is apropos of nothing but am I incorrect in thinking Deuce has the body of a 6’4″ man with the neck of a 5’11” man

I like Carlisle golf-clapping on Brunson’s move.

Interesting shot selection by Myles Turner… iso-ing iHart from the three point line into a one-legged fadeaway at the elbow?

I can’t wait for Alec Burks to play 40+ minutes

I said out loud “wow Alec Burks getting minutes”, my 5 year responds “who’s igor hurks?”

This is hysterical. Fresh-Legs Burks takes us into the lead!

🎶 his name is Alexander Burksilton 🎶

How does a bastard, old man, son of a benchwarmer/

They have Tyrese Haliburton…but we have Alec Burks

I can’t wait for Alec Burks to play 40+ minutes

LOL. And then Hubert will complain about it. 😀

Burks is back but so is Tyrese

This Indiana team still is so much less than the sum of its parts.

It is a little bit funny that the Indiana crowd is going nuts for 3 point and 6 point leads against a lineup with Precious and Barks in it.

It amazes me how much the Pacers celebrate just having the lead.

Meanwhile, Doogie’s girlfriend is trying to wrestle the gun from his head…

Honestly down 6 at halftime would be ok considering Hali has gone thermonuclear

Where the fuck is the defense

Playing the Pacers is just a different sport

Double figure and the Order Of The Bath for Sir Alec…

Meanwhile we need to call Amnesty International for the way they’re treating JB…

I keep the sound on out of respect for Breen, but Doris and the other idiot are really bad…

I just read that Precious made a driving dunk. Is that possible.

It amazes me how much the Pacers celebrate just having the lead

It may be all they will get to celebrate over the next week.

Precious has the largest play-to-play variance I’ve ever seen

Burks with the 90s foul

Don’t know, that looked like a normal foul. He got him across the chest with one arm, swung the other but it looked like he missed.

Oh well.

Burks brings his game and a hammer, too.

Been watching Mason highlights on the bench iPad

I don’t want a 2 for 1 here. Let’s just take the last shot and make it.

I’m not sure who I hate more Reggie, Stan or Doris. We need a new technology where you can mute selective people on a broadcast.

Is 13 points on 4 FGA good?

Down by 5. Got these bums right where we want them.

Breen is right, as usual. Wild first half.

Vin may have to wait.

In the meantime Carlisle just wrote the 51st complain in his daily report to the League…

Pacers play down to their opposition like crazy. I’m seeing how the Bucks played them tough without Giannis or Dame.

Down by 5 at the half and operating at half strength? I’ll take it. If they let us hang around like this we will win. We’re too good at gutting out the close wins at the end.

Hali pretending to be the superleader by hitting a few open 3s doesn’t convince me

It is a little bit funny that the Indiana crowd is going nuts for 3 point and 6 point leads against a lineup with Precious and Barks in it.

It amazes me how much the Pacers celebrate just having the lead.

This i call respect. We are a great team now. 😉

It would be so great to win just because the amount of crying would be spectacular.

Until Alec Burks misses a shot, we should spell his name the way it is on his birth certificate…
(ok Doogie’s GF, he can put the gun away)

“It has to be all about Tyrese Halliburton”

uh, I think you mean Alec Burks??

After that half from Burks, they really need to win this one.

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Doris is annoying to me sometimes but she knows her shit, Reggie makes me mute the TV

That Tyrese Halibut roar had phony energy written all over it.

I am all for Burks proving me wrong. Go get them points. I hope we start Deuce at the half. We don’t need Precious to start, he is best as a backup 5. Hart can handle Siakam.

Go Knicks!

Stratomatic says:
May 7, 2024 at 14:52

I’m going to go out on a crazy limb and say Burks is going to play at some point in this series and hit some big shots.

Let’s keep it going. We need some bigger ones.

It would be pretty funny timing if we beat the Pacers, OG comes back, and Burks plays well enough to feature in our very thin rotation just in time for Boston.

I said out loud “wow Alec Burks getting minutes”, my 5 year responds “who’s igor hurks?”

Not even 5 year olds respect Doogie? 😀

Doris Burks is eye and ear torture, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Malika Adams! Like a lot more. 😛

Divo kinda disappeared after that hot start which is unfortunate.

With McBride and Burks playing like reasonable NBA players we have a shot. We should be playing four out with one big, that should be a complete No brainer. No need to use Sims or play Presh along with iHart.

Having that one extra competent piece tonight really changes the calculus.

Quentin Grimes scored his most points in a playoff game in Game 4 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals versus the Heat, with 9 points

.

No chance of Haliburton disappearing in the 2nd half, he will certainly keep this up

If the defense is going to be this bad without OG we might be fucked.

It was a clear foul by Turner !? Come on!

Carlisle wrote “52 – Clear offensive foul, not whistled” in his little notebook…

History’s most insane charge call.

They have to overturn this. We shouldn’t have needed to use a challenge on it.

Offensive foul?
With the defender in motion AND Inside the restricted area?
AHAHAHAHAH

We are getting creamed in the Precious/IHart minutes again. We need to go with 4 shooters and a center.

it was like nesmith was at a ref camp and asked to demonstrate violating every charge requirement on one play

Why are we playing two centers if our 2nd center can’t even guard his man?

We are getting creamed in the Precious/IHart minutes again. We need to go with 4 shooters and a center.

That open Hali corner 3 was directly related to that – iHart and Precious in the paint, no one going out on the shooter

They thought they had a double digit lead, and when they looked again… LOL

We were 4 on 5 for the Hali 3. Brunson never came back down the court.

It was a nice block, but stagger him with IHart, he’ll still get some blocks but I think he hurts both our offense and defense when he plays the 4.

Carlisle “72 – A guy called DaVienzo is allowed to hit too many shots”

It’s not true but I’m telling everyone TJ McConnell is related to Mitch

I would have been sad if there were no Josh Hart coast-to-coast take this game

The play everyone expected to see in the post season – Precious to a cutting Burks for the foul

This team is like the Terminator. Can’t be killed. Even with the refs calling cheap fouls on them, doing best to give Indy no reason to whine

The play everyone expected to see in the post season – Precious to a cutting Burks for the foul

LOL

I’m not watching because I’m on the I-60 freeway heading to the desert, but I passed the Redlands exit and for some reason it made me think of the Knicks… good luck tonight fellas!

Breen: “He’s clearly well rested, he sat for four minutes” LOL

The refs are killing the Pacers right Rick?

Yes! He’s asking why are five Knicks allowed to play at the same time…

Carlisle in his notebook: “Didn’t call the charge on Haliburton.”

I’m keep wanting to say that Brunson is getting a superstar whistle finally but these are all clear fouls

Carlisle in his notebook: “Didn’t call the charge on Haliburton.”

I was surprised Thibs didn’t challenge that, Deuce was clearly stationary

This going until the last seconds, we all know that. Let’s finish this.

I am covered in sweat and marinara sauce (don’t ask).

Next bucket bu them will be the margin of victory we are completely done

It’s incredible that the refs swallow their whistle because Carlisle cried to the media but we can win in spite of that. Let’s go!

Amazing how we’re still trailing by 1, when we’re missing everything on the offense.

Okay Pags, put the phone down and let the rest of us watch the end of the game in abject terror.

I wish we would go to the iHart floater more, he’s been money all playoffs…

Let’s get McBride in for Burks. Burks hasn’t been great this half and McBride is a plus 15 while no other Knick has a positive +/-, IHart is an even 0.

Blocking foul call there is absolutely unreal. Like there is 0 room for interpretation

Carlisle in notebook: “Blown call on the blocking foul.”

If that call’s reversed knicks should just walk off the court and forfeit

Carlisle in notebook: “Only called one of four fouls against Brunson.”

Edit: must be typing slooooow…

I see a constant green light sweater on knicks bench
A challenge outfit?

IHart just got dragged out of the way

These chase down blocks have killed us

Bummers. We could see that block of Hart coming from a mile away (on TV).

Carlisle notebook: “iHart hooked out of bounds on drive.”

Fuck.

That is the worst Bang Breen has ever uttered

That was a bullshit goaltend too. Wasnt in the cylinder

Pacers got about 8 lucky bounces and 3 lucky calls in those last two minutes.

Total collapse. This was our shot to buy enough time to close this out and heal. Pacers in 6 is pretty much a lock. I wish we would complain to the refs more, calls tonight were absolutely insane.

So now Thibs files his 50 missed calls. Hard fought game. I missed the middle but a thrilling end. I can’t believe this team was even close. Let’s take Sunday and win it all back home.

Well, we played great, as always, but this time we couldn’t finish the job. Let’s try to steal the next.

I know this sounds biased, but that was the worst officiated game I’ve seen in years.

Shitty officiating but we weren’t gonna sweep these guys as short-handed as we are, they were always gonna chip off one or two wins. Regroup and rest up for game 4

As much as achiuwansucks … if there was anytime to get him back in the game .. it was late…

Disappointed, but I’m okay with it. They were playing with a half-Brunson (he should have been a decoy more), the refs turned against them toward the end, a whole lot of lucky bounces, and we got to see Burps.

We’ll get em Sunday.

The refs jobbed us just like the game after Nurse complained. We’re gonna be fine, especially with the possible emergence of Alec Burks, viable rotation player.

It took a lot going their way and a pedestrian night from Brunson for them to get the win at home, I’m not worried yet

Huge missed chance, but we know the refs would give them the game after Rickie Dickhead postgame show.

Proud of our guys but it stings the same…

And this. Always this: MAKE YOUR DAMN FREE THROWS. Practice them every day, children.

You have:

– Rick Carlisle getting fined $35k to make sure they’d get the calls at home
– Haliburton getting red hot from 3
– Lucky buzzer beating logo 3 by Nembhard

And we still get a chance to tie the game with 16 seconds left and they only win by 5

We’ll bounce back Sunday. This Pacer team isn’t good enough to win 4 games against this team. Brunson should improve healthwise as well.

I know this sounds biased, but that was the worst officiated game I’ve seen in years.

Even the jump ball toss was ridiculous.

Can’t make FTs or get a defensive reb, don’t deserve to win.

Brutal to lose this way, so much energy hanging in there down OG . Maybe it caught up with Knicks.

What happened to running looks for DIvo … he was scorching… and then I didn’t even know he was in the game… did they change coverage… doubt it right?

I’ll name my next son Thibs if he says “large market teams deserve a chance” in his presser.

We lost an excellent opportunity to go up 3-0. Depleted, exhausted, all shots coming short and gave up a ton on offensive rebounds because of fatigue at the end. Still, it took a lucky 3-pointer off a broken play for Indy to beat us. That was the longest shot of his career.

The refs KILLED us. What do you have so say now [P]Rick Carlisle?

So we are expecting Brunson to be healthier 36 hours from now after playing on his fucked up foot?

9 pt lead with less than 10 mins left in the game….

Those minutes catch up to the body

9 pt lead with less than 10 mins left in the game….

That lead can evaporate in a flash in today’s NBA

At least we’re gonna win the l2m. There were so many bad calls down the stretch but hey Nembhard hit a shot and won the game. We’ll get the next one.

Carlisle will be silent tonight , no doubt

Fine was worth it..

Hard to be too upset about that loss. It took a heave from a guy who was 1-7 before that to beat us

Get game 4, just like vs Philly

Had a chance for the knockout blow, so it’s a bummer we didn’t get it done. Still, the Pacers are beatable and now I think we might just take this thing.

Knicks in 7.

IHart was fouled, DiVo was fouled, Brunson was fouled, and so on. Gonna be a very interesting L2M report tomorrow

Now that this frustrating ass game is over I can say this postseason has gotten me so excited to see what a healthy team can do next season. Fuck what Draymond says the best is yet to come for this team. Having said that I really hope they find a way to reach the Conference Finals this year cause this group deserves it.

The L2M tommorow , I’m just waiting for the media people who say the NBA is helping the Knicks to respond.

Never listen to role player Draymond who has been carried by Curry, Klay and KD.

Now that this frustrating ass game is over I can say this postseason has gotten me so excited to see what a healthy team can do next season. Fuck what Draymond says the best is yet to come for this team. Having said that I really hope they find a way to reach the Conference Finals this year cause this group deserves it.

I was watching the game with my son and we were talking about what a beat down we’d be giving this lame ass Pacers team with Randle, Mitch, Bojan, OG and a fully healthy Brunson

And the Celtics would be scared shitless of us

A- Rod still front and center at Timberwolves games, Is he going to get control of the team?

Also Tim Legler is on the call for this Nuggets/Timberwolves game…does ESPN not have enough commentators?

Tommy Beer
@TommyBeer

In the fourth quarter, the Knicks:
Made only 4 FG’s
Missed 3 free throws
Committed 3 turnovers
Gave up 5 offensive rebounds

Smells like lack of energy

Don’t bring that weak sauce in here, Weak. The Minutes Police will have to be quiet tomorrow, we had a Burkfest. And 28 minutes of Deuce, and 21 of Precious. And, um, 4 of Jericho…

Brunson missed a number of bunnies he normally makes. Because he was operating on one leg, and he was being beaten to a pulp the whole game. He makes three of those and we win.

Smells like lack of energy

It’s sucks that we didn’t get an extra day like Denver.

Draymond has behaved like an asshole his entire career and is just trolling for clicks now. He should be put on ignore.

Strat, I think it’s because the Denver series started on Saturday and the NBA gave the Knicks rest over that weekend after they beat Philly. It sucks though with so many players down and the need for extra rest.

It’s incredible how many back and forth blowouts there seem to be in other series in this round. Meanwhile, Knicks just keep grinding out close single digit ones. This has been – by far – the most compelling team and the most entertaining basketball product imaginable. So much damn fun.

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