On May 11, Beijing time, the Indiana Pacers narrowly defeated the New York Knicks 111-106 at home, chasing the score to 2-1. In this game, the Knicks' big man Anunoby was absent because of a left hamstring strain, and Thibodeau had to include Burks and Sims in the rotation, but both of them have been absent for a long time, Randle, Miro, Bojan, and Anunoby are all injured, and it is normal for the Knicks to lose.
In this game, the Pacers once led by 9 points at the beginning, and in the second and third quarters, the Knicks regained the lead under the outbreak of Divin, and entered the final quarter of the Knicks' physical fitness problems, and the Pacers gradually took control of the situation in the last 1 minute, and the last 18 seconds of the game fell to the Pacers.
Brunson hit a three-pointer with 42 seconds before the end, and then the Pacers possessed the ball, Haliburton was tightly guarded with the ball, he passed to Nembhard who was 45 degrees on the weak side, and then Nem completed a long-range buzzer-beating three-pointer to help the Pacers lead by three points, and then Brunson missed a three-pointer, and Ney hit two free throws in the first nine seconds to seal the victory.
Haliburton said after the game: "At the time, I was looking for a shot, but I heard Thibodeau shouting for a double to cover me. Maybe I had the ball too long and it put Nembhard in a difficult situation, but he still hit the big heart and he stepped up when we needed it most. Harry was 14-of-26 from the field and 6-of-16 from three-point range, finishing with 35 points, seven assists and four rebounds.
Nembhard finished the game with 5 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 turnovers on 2-of-8 + 1-of-3 three-pointers, and hit the most crucial shot on 1-of-7 shooting. Devin had 35 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists, and Brunson had 26 points, 6 assists and 1 steal.
After the game, Thibodeau commented on Nem's winning three-pointer: "When Haliburton got the ball, we did a good job with his bag, and 24 seconds were about to go, and Nembhard was able to hit a long-range three-pointer in that situation, and we can only pay tribute."
Thibodeau also said after the game about the referee's blowing scale: "I think there are some penalties that should be in our favor, but I don't want to say anything more before I watch the replay." He complained about the referees and sparked heated discussions, because the Knicks' two home referees were helping them win, pure ingratitude.
Text/Yan Xiaobai