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This has been a tremendous, comprehensive performance by the Knicks from start to finish: a wire-to-wire big victory to send this series back to Indiana for Game 6. Yet another Knicks-Pacers series threatening to go the distance, as all of them do.

These two teams have met as many times (9) in the playoffs than any other matchup since 1993. And they've now played 54 out of a possible 59 games over that span. Virtually every series has been close, intense and long.

The Hoop Collective with Brian Windhorst and Tim Bontemps on the Knicks forcing Game 6, the Thunder entering the Finals as heavy favorites and what’s next for Ant and the Wolves youtu.be/SYo_Q_NZnzw?si…

The Knicks got off to a good start, but have started hunting for kill shot threes and it allowed Indiana to surge back into the lead. Meanwhile, Aaron Nesmith has five points but hasn't looked great moving defensively early on for Indiana. Something to monitor going forward.

After 1: Pacers 25, Knicks 24 Fun, tight opening quarter, with the Knicks getting off to an early lead before the Pacers jumped back in front. Brunson and KAT are a combined 4-for-13; Haliburton missed all four shots and already has a couple turnovers.

Been a very rough start at both ends so far for Karl-Anthony Towns. And after a rough first quarter for Tyrese Haliburton, he immediately hits a three-pointer for his first points of the game upon checking in here in the second. We'll see if that gets him going.

Towns then immediately scores out of the timeout. Former Knick Obi Toppin is having a great first half for Indiana, too. Already has seven points and four boards off the bench.

Halftime: Pacers 58, Knicks 54 This game has been played like a Game 7: sloppy and chaotic on both sides. Pascal Siakam (16) and OG Anunoby (14) lead the way for both sides. Brunson and Towns are a combined 7-for-20. Knicks have 9 turnovers. The Pacers are 8-for-15 from 3.

A dream start to the second half for the Pacers, who have gone on a 8-0 run in less than two minutes to open up a 12-point lead. This has very quickly entered danger zone territory for the Knicks.

Indiana is now 13-for-23 from 3 tonight, and Thomas Bryant has gone 3-for-3 from the corner, including a couple in quick succession here in the third. Pacers now lead 78-63 midway through the third quarter.

Massive swing moment: Deuce McBride appeared to get the Knicks back to within 9 with a transition 3, but stepped out of bounds before shooting it. Obi Toppin then drilled one at the other end. Indiana instead now is back up 15, and is 15-for-28 from 3. Knicks are 5-for-17.

After 3: Pacers 92, Knicks 77 Indiana stretches out the lead in the third quarter behind some continued hot shooting from 3. The Knicks had several chances to get it back to 10 or less late in the 3rd, but made far too many mistakes. Indiana is now 12 minutes from the Finals.

Jarace Walker is down in a lot of pain under the basket. He's now up and being helped to the back while putting no weight at all on his right leg.

The Pacers have just destroyed the Knicks in transition in this game. One easy basket after another, to the tune of a 25-10 fast break point advantage – essentially the difference in the game.

Tyrese Haliburton with a 32-foot bomb to end his night, as he and Pascal Siakam check out fo the game with less than a minute to go, and with the celebrations deservedly underway here in Indianapolis after a thorough victory for the Pacers.

Final: Pacers 125, Knicks 108 Indiana advances to the NBA Finals for the first time in 25 years, where they will face the Thunder. 31 points for Pascal Siakam, 21 & 14 for Tyrese Haliburton & massive edges in fast break points & 3-point shooting make for an easy Pacer win.

The Hoop Collective on the Pacers punching their ticket to the Finals and sending the Knicks to Cancun Brian Windhorst Tim Bontemps youtu.be/O0pe4YsI8qY?si…

The Utah Jazz are hiring Boston Celtics assistant GM Austin Ainge as their president of basketball operations, sources told me and Shams Charania. Ainge has spent the past 14 years working in Boston’s front office, including the last six in his current role.

What do the Knicks need to do this summer to be in the mix again next season? Tim Bontemps | Tim MacMahon | ESPN New York

How many pairs of shoes will Tim MacMahon be taking to the NBA Finals? 😂 Tim Bontemps | Brian Windhorst