Karl-Anthony Towns outlined the key differences between the performance of Game 4 and Game 5 in Knicks.
The New York Knicks beat the Indiana Pacers to win Game 5, living on hopes for the NBA Finals. The series is currently 3-2 and the Knicks are traveling to Game 6 Indiana on Saturday night.
Tyrese Halliburton had one of the worst playoff performances in history with just eight points. Out of a 32-point outing that makes history in Game 4, Halliburton didn’t have it.
As for the Knicks, the duo Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns combined for 56 points. In fact, Branson and Cat have set the record of Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal’s last duo.
Many asked Branson and town to step up as a duo before Game 5. Speaking after the game, Kat explained how he and Branson did it together with the other Knicks.
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Karl-Anthony Towns spoke after the Knicks won Game 5. He praised Jalen Brunson for his offensive onslaught, especially to start the game.
When pointing out the difference between Game 4 and Game 5, Towns noted that the Knicks had a strong defense in the first quarter to keep pacers at bay.
“He was cooking! That’s what I saw. When he’s playing like that and he’s hitting the shot, obviously everyone gets well. But you have to get some stops, especially when you’re getting points at that rate.”
“I don’t want to trade two or two, three or three people. I want to be able to get some stops while Cap is on that type of burner.”
“We did an amazing job of just doing it and held them at 23 points in the first quarter, something that didn’t work out in the last game.”
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With this Game 5 victory, the Knicks will feel a little more confident about trying to overcome the 3-1 deficit before tonight’s victory.
The Knicks have a reason to be confident, not just last night’s victory. They are the best road teams in the NBA playoffs this year and have the opportunity to break the 1995 Houston Rockets record.
But Pacers are far from a team that gives up so easily. Pascal Siakam’s passionate post-match comments show that the Pacers mentality is heading towards Game 6.
If the Knicks want to win Game 6, they still need to perform at their best in the playoffs, but this isn’t easy.