The Pacers benefit as this series continues to go deeper. Indiana is a far more complete squad than New York, possessing the top scoring second unit throughout the regular season.
This postseason, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has only started eight players per game. More than five minutes of play have not yet been recorded by the eighth player. Josh Hart, the guard for the Knicks, missed just five minutes of action in Game 3 overall, having played all 48 minutes in Games 1 and 2. In every Knicks playoff game, Donte DiVincenzo has also played 44 minutes. The Pacers are always ahead in Game 5 because Game 4 is quickly approaching. Even if they may not be displaying it just yet, their rival, the New York Knicks, are worn out.
The Pacers will inevitably force Game 6 if they win Games 4 and/or 5. The Pacers have played a considerably better style of basketball at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, where that game will take place if needed. Head coach Rick Carlisle would be wise to have his Pacers play a hard, quick-paced style of basketball with as little breaks as possible. Fatigue may set in because the Knicks are virtually using a seven-man rotation.
It’s not uncommon for Thibodeau to demand excessive playing time from his starters. He accomplished so while playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Chicago Bulls alongside Jimmy Butler. Indiana has two players at nearly every one of the five available positions. The Knicks might run out of gas to defeat the Pacers in this semifinal series if he keeps doing this amongst Hart, DiVincenzo, and Brunson.
