The first game of the Eastern Conference Final: The Knicks vs. the Pacers

(Pre-match prediction analysis, rational discussion, do not criticize if you don’t like it)

NBA playoffs are in full swing. On May 22, 08:00, the Knicks and the Pacers will start their first match in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Knicks' regular season winning rate was 62.2%, ranking third in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, they defeated the Pistons and the Celtics one after another and successfully advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals. The Knicks have dual-core drivers, with Towns as the core radiation combat power in the interior, and the outside creates threats around Brunson. The Knicks' scoring ability is at the top level in the league, and Towns and Brunson's singles ability is particularly outstanding. The team's fast break is fast and the average shooting percentage of the playoffs is as high as 44%, which is extremely competitive. In this battle, the Pacers were afraid. The Pacers have a regular season winning rate of 61%, ranking fourth in the Eastern Conference. In the playoffs, they defeated the Bucks and the Cavaliers one after another and advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals with their heads held high. Pacers use a combination of internal and external fighting style, and the attack points are scattered and difficult to prevent. They mainly rely on the team's transmission and cutting cooperation to output firepower. The inside doubles Tassiakam and Turner have both offense and defense, while Halliburton and Nemhad on the outside have outstanding three-pointers. However, the Pacers have hidden dangers on the defensive end: their ability to protect the basket in the interior is weak and their ability to apply pressure from the outside is insufficient.

In-depth analysis of this game: the two sides have similar styles but different styles of play. The Knicks rely on dual-core drives and dominates the inside; the Pacers have outstanding outside, and the whole team is fighting. In this matchup, the Knicks are expected to take the lead with their inside strength, while the Pacers may strengthen joint defense and use fast breaks to counterattack. In this game, the scores of both sides are expected to rise alternately. The Knicks, who play at home, are expected to seize the opportunity and use their inside firepower to severely hit their opponents and have a great chance of winning a good start.