Knicks Head To Indiana With Hopes Of Returning Back Home For A Game 7.
The last 24 hours in the city have memorable watching from a third person perspective from seeing people’s awkward reaction to Kanye West’s new album and even J.R. Smith throwing a downtown party on the eve of their potential season-ending game. The Knicks faithful were staying loyal to their team with aspirations of just getting a chance to head back to Indiana and extend the series back home.
Knicks head coach Mike Woodson, would install Chris Copeland into the rotation providing a huge lift off the bench with Jason Kidd and J.R. Smith’s lack of consistency scoring. Amar’e Stoudemire and Steve Novak are both also dealing with injuries they’re trying to work their way through but saw limited action. The pacers were without their starting point guard George Hill, who suffered a concussion during game 4.
Indiana would insert Lance Stephenson into the starting lineup which they would instantly see the decline in production without Hill in the action, as Lance only scored 4 points in 1-7 of shooting. The Pacers essentially run a 5-man rotation for their starters which made them vulnerable last night against the Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony would lead the Knicks to win the game scoring 28 points (with 28 FGAs), as he got moderate help from Raymond Felton, J.R. Smith and Chris Copeland. Mike Woodson before game 4 was criticized for playing small with Pablo Prigioni in the starting lineup, but after their loss he turned back to his original formula that worked when needed most.
The series now heads back to Indiana for a must-win Pacers game 6, which we’re expecting them to end the series sooner rather than later. The Knicks have momentum at the moment with Pacers guard Hill being out of the line-up but we’re expecting him to come back for the finale on Saturday. J.R. Smith showed signs of contributing good production last night which we’re expecting him to finally have a breakout game during the weekend.
Win or GO Home!