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The Indiana Pacers’ season was on the line in Game 6 against the New York Knicks, but they responded by picking up a fairly comfortable 116-103 victory to extend their season and force a Game 7. While it wasn’t his biggest game of the series, Tyrese Haliburton was in control of the proceedings from the jump, and he’s ready to turn the page to the game that will ultimately decide who wins this series.
Haliburton is arguably the Pacers biggest X-factor, as he is crucial to the operation of their offense. He didn’t have to do much in this one, though, as Pascal Siakam put together his best outing of the series to lead Indiana to victory. And after the win, Haliburton revealed that the team’s desire to not have to go home for the offseason was what inspired them to put together their big outing in Game 6.
"Us [Pacers] being down 3-2 the pressure was on us… we had to come out and play harder for 48 minutes and we have to maintain that going into Game 7."
Tyrese Haliburton on the Pacers' mindset of not wanting to go home
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/Y9Gny9d516
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 18, 2024
The Pacers managed to accomplish their goal, and they now have a do-or-die Game 7 contest at Madison Square Garden on their slate as they attempt to book their spot in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics. And even though Game 6 had just wrapped up, Haliburton was already getting himself excited for the team’s upcoming Game 7 action.
"Now it's a one-game series… Where better to have a Game 7 than the Garden."
Tyrese Haliburton discusses Sunday's series decider in New York
(via @NBATV)
pic.twitter.com/zgU5p8hJPI— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 18, 2024
Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers don’t have much Game 7 experience
Anything can happen in a Game 7, but that’s not exactly something the Pacers are very familiar with. They have a very young squad, with this being many of their players’ deepest playoff runs, and that was something that head coach Rick Carlise was quick to note as everyone began to turn the page from Game 6 to Game 7.
Via Alex Golden:
“Rick Carlisle on Game 7: ‘It’s the ultimate game. Aside from Pascal, I don’t know if anyone has been in a game 7. This team has had a lot of new experiences the last 6 weeks.’”
The one guy who does know what it takes to play and win a Game 7 is Siakam, who was a big part of the Toronto Raptors 2019 championship squad. Siakam came up big for Indiana in Game 6 on Friday night (25 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST, 11/21 FGM), and he revealed that he expects the team that comes out and plays the hardest in Game 7 will end up being the team that advances to the next round of the playoffs.
"Both teams are going to play hard… the hardest playing team usually wins those games."
Pascal Siakam on what it's like playing in a Game 7
(via @NBA)pic.twitter.com/Q6KVtZxcb3
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 18, 2024
This series has been an absolute battle to this point, so it only seems right that it will culminate in a Game 7 where everything is on the line. Siakam is familiar with how these contests go, and he’s going to have to step up once again if Indiana intends on advancing. Experience isn’t everything, but any advantage you can get in a win-or-go-home game is crucial.
Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are Indiana’s two best players, and they are going to play a big role in determining how this contest ends up going on Sunday afternoon. They both seem to know the stakes, and if they can play some solid basketball again with their season on the line, they could end up completing their upset of the Knicks and advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
More must-reads:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo to play for Greece in Olympic qualifier
- Kristaps Porzingis holds the keys to Celtics' title hopes
- The 'Most three-pointers made in the playoffs' quiz
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