The Indiana Pacers staged a remarkable comeback in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, which has raised concerns for the higher-seeded New York Knicks. Following a 114-109 loss in Game 2, the Knicks find themselves in a precarious position as they head into a pivotal road game. Historically, no team in NBA history has lost the first two games of a conference finals at home and gone on to win the series, presenting a significant challenge for New York. However, there remains a possibility for recovery, contingent upon making crucial adjustments.

The Knicks have seemingly slowed the Pacers' pace compared to their regular-season performance, yet it may not be sufficient. Indiana thrives in transition, often relying on quick passing to outpace opponents and exploit defensive lapses. The Pacers effectively demonstrated this strategy in both Games 1 and 2. While Mitchell Robinson has shown proficiency in offensive rebounding, a shift towards prioritizing transition defense may be warranted. Retrieving players need to make prompt returns to defense, regardless of whether shots are made or missed. Additionally, adopting a more deliberate offensive approach could be beneficial, allowing New York to create longer possessions that might tire out Indiana defensively.

The Knicks have struggled in the assist department, recording only 18 in Game 2 and losing the assist battle in both contests. A majority of their baskets during this game were unassisted, coupled with Jalen Brunson's high volume of 52 field-goal attempts across the two matchups, indicating the Knicks' offense may not be capitalizing on Indiana's defensive vulnerabilities. Indiana's roster presents multiple scoring threats, requiring all five defenders to maintain vigilance at all times. The variety in potential scoring options makes defending the Pacers a physically and mentally taxing endeavor. Although isolations and pick-and-rolls featuring Brunson can yield results, an over-reliance on these strategies runs the risk of predictability. Revisiting a more assist-oriented offensive style, which the Knicks excelled in during the regular season with an average of 27.5 assists, may serve to diversify their game plan and apply pressure on Indiana's defense.

In terms of three-point performance, the Knicks trail the Pacers by six in total three-pointers made, a margin larger than the overall point spread. New York's perimeter defense faltered down the stretch of Game 1, allowing Aaron Nesmith an abundance of space behind the arc. To counter this, the Knicks must enhance their defensive rotations, which may entail being more flexible with switching on screens. Although Myles Turner may not be a notable threat in the post, the Knicks could afford to adjust their defensive approach without suffering heavy consequences. The postseason demands in-game adjustments, and improved perimeter defense against the Pacers' shooters is critical.

Among the Pacers' formidable offensive weapons, Pascal Siakam poses a significant challenge, having averaged a team-high 20.2 points in the regular season and exploding for 39 points in Game 2. While acknowledging that some nights an NBA star may be uncontestable, New York must strive to devise strategies to contain Siakam more effectively. While blanket doubling may not be feasible due to his scoring ability from various offensive sets, deploying additional defensive pressure periodically could alter the game flow in favor of the Knicks. Moreover, New York might summon the flexibility to alternate between man-to-man and zone defenses. Although a zone may be risky against a proficient shooting team, it might introduce an element of confusion that could manifest favorable opportunities.

Recognizing that the Pacers lead bench scoring 52-28 after two games highlights another area of concern for New York. Players such as OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson have logged extended minutes, with Brunson nearing 80 minutes over the first two games while Mikal Bridges has surpassed 90 minutes. Given the fast-paced nature of Indiana's play style, fatigue could burden New York as the series progresses. While flipping the depth narrative may be challenging, even a couple of three-point contributions from bench players like Miles McBride or Cameron Payne could significantly impact the series. Introducing unexpected contributions, even in limited minutes from players who have yet to shine, might provide critical relief for the starters as they navigate the latter stages of this intense series.