The Indiana Pacers' impressive performance in Game 1 raised eyebrows as they staged a remarkable comeback against the New York Knicks, setting the tone for the series. Following a 114-109 defeat in Game 2 on Friday, the Knicks find themselves in a critical situation. Historically, no team in NBA history has successfully recovered after losing the first two games of a conference finals at home to win the series. However, the Knicks will strive to defy expectations as they prepare for their next game on the road.

Despite the Kings having the Pacers playing at a more controlled pace than during the regular season, Indiana remains effective in pushing the tempo. The Pacers favor a rapid transition strategy—quickly moving the ball up the court rather than relying on dribbling, which has proven beneficial in both Games 1 and 2. While Mitchell Robinson's offensive rebounding has been a strong point for New York, they may need to prioritize transition defense to reclaim momentum. Swiftly returning to the defensive end after both makes and misses is essential. Additionally, employing a more methodical approach on offense could help the Knicks. By extending the duration of possessions, New York might tire the Pacers' defense and set the stage for a stronger offensive output.

The Knicks have consistently lost the assist battle in the series, recording just 18 assists in Game 2 with more than half of their baskets being unassisted. This trend, coupled with Jalen Brunson’s significant 52 field-goal attempts across the first two games, indicates that New York may be missing opportunities to exploit Indiana's defensive vulnerabilities. The diversity of scoring options that the Pacers present makes them particularly challenging, necessitating constant vigilance from the Knicks' defenders. Although containing Brunson presents its own challenges, an over-reliance on isolation plays can render the offense predictable, inadvertently granting rest to defenders who could otherwise be stretched with varied offensive attacks. While altering a fundamental strategy during a series can be difficult, the Knicks have demonstrated the ability to share the ball more effectively, averaging 27.5 assists during the regular season.

The disparity in three-point shooting is another concern for New York. The Knicks are down 6 total three-pointers in the series, a difference that, while not massive, still highlights areas for improvement. In crucial moments of Game 1, the Knicks struggled to defend against Aaron Nesmith, a prime threat from beyond the arc. Improving the urgency in chasing shooters is vital, which may entail switching screens more readily. This is particularly relevant when considering Myles Turner’s limited capacity to capitalize on such switches. Adjusting defensive strategies to counter three-point shooting can prove advantageous.

The Pacers demonstrate the ability to field several players capable of significant scoring, with Pascal Siakam emerging as a prominent threat. Having averaged 20.2 points during the regular season, Siakam exploded for 39 points in Game 2, underscoring the need for the Knicks to evaluate their defensive assignments. While double-teaming Siakam poses its own set of challenges—given his propensity to score from various positions and scenarios—considering an extra defender at strategic moments could disrupt his rhythm. More fundamentally, the Knicks may also benefit from a more versatile defensive approach that blends zone and man-to-man looks. Though pursuing a zone defense could be precarious against a skilled shooting team like the Pacers, introducing this variation might stir confusion and create more defensive opportunities.

Bench productivity has also surfaced as a point of concern for the Knicks, as the Pacers have significantly outscored them in this category, 52-28, over the first two games. With players like OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson logging extensive minutes, fatigue could become an issue, particularly considering Indiana’s fast-paced style. Although the Knicks may struggle to flip the depth dynamics in their favor, bolstering contributions from players like Miles McBride or Cameron Payne, even in small increments, could provide necessary relief and fresh energy. Securing just a few additional three-point contributions from deeper in the rotation might make a considerable difference in this closely contested series.