Pacers stay alive after pivotal Game 6 win over Knicks, force do-or-die Game 7

The first five games of this highly-entertaining playoff series between the Indiana Pacers and New York were all won each by the home team. 

Game 6 pretty much followed the trend. 

Pascal Siakam scored 25 points, as the Pacers kept their season alive thanks to a 116-103 Game 6 victory over the Knicks to force a sudden-death Game 7 back in New York.

Pacers beat the Knicks 116-103 to FORCE GAME 7! pic.twitter.com/93zUcc7JNO

— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) May 18, 2024

Siakam put in the work early and already had 15 markers and six rebounds at halftime. Indiana led by as many as 23 points and remained undefeated at home this postseason at 6-0.

Pascal Siakam hits the tough turnaround for 15 PTS!

Pacers looking to force a Game 7 on ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/JxqTwGGh8d

— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2024

After trailing 46-44 with 6:19 left in the second frame, the Pacers ended the opening half on a 17-5 run for a 61-51 lead and never looked back.

Game 7 of this series will be on May 20, Monday (PH time) with the winner facing the top seed Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals.

With their season on the line, Indiana stood their ground at home and dominated the rebounding battle, 47-35, moved the ball better, 35-20, and manhandled the Knicks inside, 62-38.

Myles Turner added 17 markers. Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and T.J McConnell all chipped in 15 points, while Obi Toppin had 11.

Myles Turner's block leads to an Andrew Nembhard corner three to put us up 20 in the fourth.

😤🔥 pic.twitter.com/kBYwizR77R

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 18, 2024

The Pacers will compete in their first Game 7 since the 2018 opening round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

Meanwhile, Jalen Brunson led the way for the Knicks with 31 points, including 14 alone in the third frame. Miles McBride added 20, and Donte DiVincenzo contributed 17.

Jalen Brunson puts in the 3... finishes the 3rd quarter with 14 PTS!

Knicks trail the Pacers 88-75 headed to the 4th on ESPN 🍿 pic.twitter.com/pDmmQfs2EZ

— NBA (@NBA) May 18, 2024

After dropping 44 points in a Game 5 blowout win, Brunson missed 11 straight field goal attempts after making his first two in the first half.

Even though he found his groove in the third, the Knicks could not overcome a well-distributed Pacers offense, who had six players in double figures.

The Knicks will be in their first home Game 7 since the 1995 Eastern Conference Finals, coincidentally against the Pacers.