Pacers Thump Knicks in Game 7, 130-109
The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks, 130-109, at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference semifinal-round series. The Pacers have won the series, 4-3.
The Knicks (5-6 postseason) headed into tip-off with a head of steam, considering they were not only in front of a robust home crowd ready to cheer them to a series win, but they also were getting back both Josh Hart (abdomen) and OG Anunoby (hamstring) from injury. Nevertheless, the Pacers (8-6 postseason) dulled that excitement with the one weapon at their disposal, that being their on-court play. Indy put New York on its heels by building a 39-27 lead through one, and their advantage was up to 15 points by halftime. The third quarter would have been the likeliest time for the hosts to experience a resurgence, but instead, it was the visitors adding another two points to their edge. What was already an uphill battle got even steeper when Jalen Brunson exited the game for good with a fractured hand after 29 minutes of floor time, essentially sealing the Knicks' fate.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 26 points, adding six assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Andrew Nembhard furnished 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Pascal Siakam matched Nembhard's scoring and added four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Aaron Nesmith totaled 19 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Myles Turner posted 17 points, five boards, one assist and four blocks. T.J. McConnell delivered 12 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block.
Donte DiVincenzo paced the Knicks with 39 points, complementing them with four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Alec Burks contributed 26 points, three rebounds and two assists. Brunson had 17 points and nine assists before his exit. Hart turned in 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Pacers will now face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Game 1 set for Tuesday night at TD Garden.
The Knicks (5-6 postseason) headed into tip-off with a head of steam, considering they were not only in front of a robust home crowd ready to cheer them to a series win, but they also were getting back both Josh Hart (abdomen) and OG Anunoby (hamstring) from injury. Nevertheless, the Pacers (8-6 postseason) dulled that excitement with the one weapon at their disposal, that being their on-court play. Indy put New York on its heels by building a 39-27 lead through one, and their advantage was up to 15 points by halftime. The third quarter would have been the likeliest time for the hosts to experience a resurgence, but instead, it was the visitors adding another two points to their edge. What was already an uphill battle got even steeper when Jalen Brunson exited the game for good with a fractured hand after 29 minutes of floor time, essentially sealing the Knicks' fate.
Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 26 points, adding six assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block. Andrew Nembhard furnished 20 points, six assists, five rebounds and one steal. Pascal Siakam matched Nembhard's scoring and added four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Aaron Nesmith totaled 19 points, four rebounds, one assist and one steal. Myles Turner posted 17 points, five boards, one assist and four blocks. T.J. McConnell delivered 12 points, seven assists, two rebounds, one steal and one block.
Donte DiVincenzo paced the Knicks with 39 points, complementing them with four rebounds, one assist and two steals. Alec Burks contributed 26 points, three rebounds and two assists. Brunson had 17 points and nine assists before his exit. Hart turned in 10 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.
The Pacers will now face the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, with Game 1 set for Tuesday night at TD Garden.
Timberwolves Stun Nuggets In Denver
By Dan Bruno
The Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the host Denver Nuggets, 98-90, in Game 7 of the Western Conference Semi Finals at Ball Arena on Sunday evening.
The Nuggets jumped out to a strong start and led by five points after one quarter. The hosts kept the momentum going in the second and rallied to a 15-point lead by halftime. The Nuggets managed to push their lead up to 20 early in the third, but the Timberwolves mounted a, 28-9, run to cut it down to a one-point game heading into the final quarter. The visitors stayed strong and clawed their way to a five-point advantage mid way through the quarter. The Timberwolves kept their focus and came up clutch down the stretch to stun the defending champs on their home court and secure a ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
Jaden McDaniels totaled 23 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block, while Karl-Anthony Towns logged 23 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block to lead the way for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards added 16. points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Rudy Gobert totaled 13 points, nine rebounds, a steal and a block.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 35 points, three rebounds and three assists, in 43 minutes. Nikola Jokic followed up with 34 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists and a block, while Michael Porter was the next-highest scorer with seven points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
The marks the end of the road for the defending champs, while the Timberwolves look ahead to a meeting with the Mavs on Wednesday.
The Nuggets jumped out to a strong start and led by five points after one quarter. The hosts kept the momentum going in the second and rallied to a 15-point lead by halftime. The Nuggets managed to push their lead up to 20 early in the third, but the Timberwolves mounted a, 28-9, run to cut it down to a one-point game heading into the final quarter. The visitors stayed strong and clawed their way to a five-point advantage mid way through the quarter. The Timberwolves kept their focus and came up clutch down the stretch to stun the defending champs on their home court and secure a ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
Jaden McDaniels totaled 23 points, six rebounds, two steals and a block, while Karl-Anthony Towns logged 23 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block to lead the way for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards added 16. points, eight rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Rudy Gobert totaled 13 points, nine rebounds, a steal and a block.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 35 points, three rebounds and three assists, in 43 minutes. Nikola Jokic followed up with 34 points, 19 rebounds, seven assists and a block, while Michael Porter was the next-highest scorer with seven points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
The marks the end of the road for the defending champs, while the Timberwolves look ahead to a meeting with the Mavs on Wednesday.