Knicks vs. Pacers matchups: inside the 10 factors that will decide who goes to nba finals

feature-image

Play all audios:

For their first appearance in the Eastern Conference finals in a quarter century, it is only fitting that the Knicks will square off against Indiana — their opponent in each of their past


three trips to the NBA’s semifinal round.  As much as Michael Jordan and the Bulls caused constant heartbreak for the Knicks of that era, Garden villain Reggie Miller and the Pacers


represented their truer rivals, with six often crazy playoff meetings over eight years from 1993-2000.  The Knicks advanced to the NBA Finals with eliminations of the Pacers in 1994 and


1999, albeit ultimately falling short both times against the Rockets and the Spurs, respectively.  Still in search of the franchise’s first championship since 1973, the Jalen Brunson-led


Knicks will face All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton and the speedy Pacers for the second consecutive season after losing a crushing seven-game set in the second round one year ago.