The Knicks return to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2000, a year in which they lost out to none other than the Indiana Pacers in 6 Games!
The Pacers then went onto lose to the Lakers 4-2 in the Finals, and haven’t made it back since, despite going close last season, losing to eventual Champs Boston in the Eastern Conference Final.
This pair meet three times during the regular season, with the Knicks claiming a 2-1 series win, though all three of the pair’s matches were played before the Pacers hit their straps.
Indiana went 15-5 across the final 20 games of the regular season, before causing past both Milwaukee (4-1) and Cleveland (4-1) to boost heir place in the conference finals.
Alternatively, the Knicks went 12-8 across their last 20 regular season games, before moving past Detroit (4-2), and a banged up Boston (4-2).
I like the underdogs in this one, combined with Siakam grabbing a bunch of boards.