The Indiana Pacers' stunning comeback in Game 1 serves as a wake-up call for the New York Knicks, a higher-seeded team that now finds itself facing significant adversity. Following a 114-109 loss in Game 2, the Knicks are under pressure as they prepare to head out on the road. Historically, no NBA team has overcome a deficit of losing the first two games of a conference finals at home, but the Knicks still aim to defy the odds. For New York to turn the tide in this series, significant adjustments are necessary.

The Knicks have managed to slow the Pacers' pace compared to their regular-season performance, yet it remains insufficient. Indiana thrives when it can capitalize on transition opportunities, quickly moving the ball up the court to catch defenses off guard. This strategy was evident during both Games 1 and 2. While Mitchell Robinson's offensive rebounding has been beneficial, the Knicks may need to prioritize transition defense, emphasizing urgency in returning to defense after both made and missed shots. Additionally, refining their offensive execution to stretch possessions and engage the Pacers in longer defensive sequences could help conserve energy for New York as they navigate the series.

In terms of ball movement, the Knicks have struggled thus far, losing the assist battle in both games played, with only 18 assists recorded in Game 2. More than half of their field goals in that match were unassisted, a trend that reflects a reliance on individual efforts, notably seen in Jalen Brunson's 52 field-goal attempts across the two games. This approach may alleviate some pressure on the Pacers' defense, which benefits from predictable isolation plays. Given the versatile scoring ability of the Pacers, New York must enable a more diverse offensive approach to keep defenses engaged. Furthermore, as evidenced in Game 1 when Aaron Nesmith effectively exploited open shots, the Knicks must tighten their perimeter defense, being more proactive in contesting three-point attempts. Implementing effective defensive switches can help counteract the Pacers' scoring outlets, particularly with players like Myles Turner, who is not typically a post-up threat. Adjustments to defensive strategies, especially at the three-point line, should now become essential for New York to remain competitive.

Pascal Siakam's impressive performances, including a 39-point outburst in Game 2, represent another hurdle for the Knicks. While it may be challenging to directly double a player whose scoring primarily arises from cuts and transition, occasionally applying extra defensive pressure could yield favorable results. Moreover, the Knicks might consider alternating between zone and man-to-man defensive schemes to introduce tactical unpredictability. Although deploying a zone may present risks against a proficient shooting team like the Pacers, it could disrupt Indiana's rhythm and create opportunities to regain momentum. The Knicks' bench performance further compounds their challenges, as they are trailing 52-28 in bench scoring after two games. With key players such as OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson logging significant minutes, fatigue might begin to play a role. Thus, even minimal contributions from bench players like Miles McBride or Cameron Payne could prove crucial in alleviating the workload of starters. In a closely contested series, any unexpected support from the bench could be the key to shifting the balance in New York's favor.