NEW YORK – Before the Indiana Pacers took a 2-0 lead in the Eastern Conference finals on Friday, Coach Rick Carlisle rejected the idea that their unique play style necessitates a specific type of player.

“Not every player we have on our team is a perfect fit with exactly what we do,” Carlisle said. “But coaching is about taking some parts that aren’t necessarily identical and finding a way to bring out the strengths of those players to meld them with the rest, so we try to do that.”

Carlisle resists being labeled as a “system coach,” emphasizing his role is to maximize the roster at hand. Remarkably, the Pacers have crafted a distinct identity characterized by relentless speed, ball movement, player movement, and aggressive pressure. It’s a demanding way to play.

Indiana’s second victory of the series at Madison Square Garden – 114 to 109 – was less dramatic than the first, yet the game remained competitive till the end, with the Pacers sticking to their approach. With less than three minutes left in the fourth, Tyrese Haliburton secured a defensive rebound and, rather than running down the clock, made a precise outlet pass to Pascal Siakam for an easy layup.

Playoff career-high UNLOCKED 📈
Pascal Siakam has a new playoff career-high 39 points and counting. pic.twitter.com/ZkSDsmGPr0
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) May 24, 2025

In the second round, the Knicks struggled early in most games but managed to lure the Boston Celtics into poor possessions, bad shots, and costly turnovers. However, against the Pacers, they have found it challenging to replicate that defensive success. Mitchell Robinson posed some problems for Indiana in the first half, but Siakam kept the Pacers afloat as they discovered their rhythm. Indiana didn’t require another explosive fourth quarter from Aaron Nesmith in part due to T.J. McConnell applying significant pressure on New York’s defense early in the fourth quarter. Defending the initial action effectively is not sufficient; the Pacers swiftly run successive offenses, and the Knicks must catch up.

“They’re not going to stop,” New York wing Mikal Bridges noted.

Bridges emphasized that the Knicks need to enhance their defensive communication and execute their strategies more effectively, echoing the same sentiment after Games 1 and 2. He mentioned they might be “playing a bit too soft at the start of halves.” New York’s starters are currently yielding an astonishing 155.1 points per 100 possessions during this series, raising questions about why Coach Tom Thibodeau hasn’t integrated Robinson or Miles McBride into the starting lineup yet. Regardless of what Thibodeau decides moving forward, the Pacers have a considerable advantage in depth, complementing their commitment to a fast-paced approach.

“Our speed and style of play are crucial for wearing teams down,” said Indiana wing Ben Sheppard.

The Pacers’ style can be disorienting. They don’t rely on structured sets, and many possessions appear chaotic. Their ball-handlers often reject screens, with screeners frequently “ghosting” to the perimeter or slipping into the paint before contact. Almost everyone acts as a screener, and most can handle the ball.

What is remarkable about Indiana’s offense is its consistency. Thanks to Haliburton, the Pacers concluded the regular season with a 13% turnover rate, ranking third-lowest in the NBA. This has decreased to 12.1% in the playoffs and just 8.5% in two games against the Knicks. Indiana committed only one turnover in the fourth quarter of both Game 1 and Game 2. This consistent performance is impressive, as teams with such fluid passing often accept turnovers as a necessary compromise, yet remain true to their identity.

“We’re just trying to play our game,” Carlisle said. “In an environment like this, there’s a lot of noise and distractions. We always stress focusing on your teammates and your role within the team.”

Carlisle mentioned that the Pacers “maintained their composure very well” amid crowd noise and commotion on Friday. They targeted Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, but did so without losing their offensive momentum. For significant periods, they found good (or exceptional) opportunities every trip down the court.

“Having played here last year, being at MSG doesn’t feel as daunting as it did last year,” remarked Indiana guard Andrew Nembhard. “I think we’re more comfortable in this moment.”

The Pacers had to adapt a few strategies in Game 2. Bennedict Mathurin, who underperformed in the first half, remained on the bench in the second half, while third-string center Tony Bradley stepped in to challenge Robinson on the boards after a rocky period for backup Thomas Bryant. New York also adjusted their lineup, with Robinson seeing more floor time than Towns, but they couldn’t consistently defend effectively. After halftime, Indiana scored 138.3 points per 100 possessions, climbing to 153.8 per 100 during Robinson’s minutes.

Given the tight nature of the first two games and the Knicks’ robust 5-1 playoff record on the road, it would be hasty to assume New York’s defense is fatally flawed. However, with their season on the line on Sunday, every miscommunication and missed coverage will be scrutinized. New York must be at their most alert for Game 3, while the Pacers exhibit confidence in their identity and will not self-sabotage.