The New York Knicks are facing significant pressure following a challenging start to their Eastern Conference Finals series against the Indiana Pacers. After a comeback effort in Game 1 that ended in a narrow victory for the Pacers, the Knicks fell to Indiana 114-109 in Game 2, leaving them down two games in the series as they prepare to head out on the road. Historically, no team in NBA history has recovered from losing the first two games of the conference finals at home to win the series, but the Knicks remain hopeful for a strong turnaround.

During the initial games of the series, the Knicks succeeded in slowing the Pacers' pace compared to their regular-season performance; however, it was not sufficient. The Pacers thrive in transition, moving quickly and efficiently to outpace their opponents. To shift the momentum in their favor, the Knicks must tighten their defensive transition efforts, ensuring they return to defend promptly after both made and missed shots. On the offensive side, adopting a more methodical approach could benefit the team and force the Pacers to defend longer possessions, which may eventually tire them out.

The Knicks have struggled to facilitate assists, recording only 18 in Game 2, and over half of their baskets were unassisted. Jalen Brunson's heavy workload, with 52 field-goal attempts across the first two games, indicates a tendency to rely too heavily on individual plays rather than leveraging team dynamics. Such predictability in offense allows the Pacers' defenders to conserve energy. The Pacers' diverse offensive strategies mean that all five defenders must remain vigilant, as scoring threats can originate from any player. While it can be challenging to adjust game strategies mid-series, the Knicks will benefit from returning to their regular season average of 27.5 assists. Additionally, addressing perimeter defense, particularly against sharpshooters like Aaron Nesmith, will be critical for New York. Lastly, players like Pascal Siakam have shown the ability to take over games, and while conventional defenses can be hard to apply, occasional double-teaming or transitional defensive formations can create confusion and disrupt the Pacers' rhythm.