In a stunning Game 1 comeback, the Indiana Pacers highlighted their capabilities, while questions arose about the New York Knicks' performance during the critical moments of the game. Following a 114-109 defeat in Game 2, the Knicks find themselves in a precarious situation as they head on the road. Historically, no team in NBA history has emerged victorious after losing the first two games of a conference finals series at home, but every series holds the potential for unexpected outcomes. The Knicks will need to elevate their play significantly if they aim to reverse the tide and claim four victories in the next five games.

Despite the Knicks managing to slow the Pacers' pace compared to the regular season, it still may not be sufficient. Indiana thrives on fast breaks and quick ball movement, exploiting defensive gaps in transition. In the opening two contests, Indiana effectively showcased this strategy, pushing the ball and capitalizing on defensive lapses. While Mitchell Robinson's offensive rebounding has been noteworthy, prioritizing transition defense could be essential to keep the Pacers from finding rhythm. An urgent return to defensive positioning is necessary, regardless of whether there is a made basket or a miss. Additionally, adopting a more methodical approach on offense might pressure Indiana's defense to endure lengthier possessions, potentially wearing them down over the course of the game.

In the first two games of this series, the Knicks have struggled with facilitating ball movement, losing the assist battle and registering only 18 assists in Game 2, with more than half of their baskets being unassisted. Jalen Brunson's 52 field-goal attempts through both contests reflect a reliance on individual efforts that may allow Indiana's defense to find comfort. The Pacers present a multitude of scoring threats, requiring all five defenders to stay alert at all times. While isolations can showcase Brunson's talents, excessive predictability may afford the Pacers' defenders an opportunity to recharge. Although altering a philosophical approach mid-series poses challenges, the Knicks have the capability for more ball movement, as evidenced by their regular-season average of 27.5 assists.

The Knicks' deficit in three-point shooting has been noticeable, with a total difference of six (or 18 points) across the series, which surpasses the total point spread. Squandered opportunities arose late in Game 1 when Aaron Nesmith showcased his three-point shooting prowess, and New York's perimeter defenders failed to apply the necessary pressure to contest his shots. Scrambling out to shooters must improve for the Knicks, potentially necessitating an increased willingness to switch on screens outside, particularly given that Myles Turner does not pose a strong threat in the post. As the series progresses, effective in-game adjustments become crucial, especially in defending against three-point shooting. Despite the Pacers’ extensive roster capable of offensive contributions, Pascal Siakam remains a notable player to monitor as he averaged 20.2 points during the regular season and tallied 39 points in Game 2, showcasing his offensive firepower. Although summoning options to double him is complicated by his scoring versatility, occasionally bracketed defense could prove beneficial. Furthermore, transitioning between zone and man-to-man defensive schemes might induce confusion among the Pacers while balancing risks associated with Indiana’s shooting accuracy.

Bench performance continues to be an area of concern for the Knicks, as they face a stark contrast with the Pacers, who lead 52-28 in bench scoring over the first two games. Both Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby are on pace for extensive minutes, while Mikal Bridges has logged over 90 minutes in this series. Should fatigue set in due to the Pacers' uptempo style of play, the Knicks may require increased contributions from their bench. While immediate depth changes may not drastically shift the outcome, a few successful minutes from players such as Miles McBride or Cameron Payne, or an unexpected surge from an unutilized player, could provide the necessary boost for regular contributors as the series progresses.