One half of the Eastern Conference Semifinals was settled last night as both the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks won their respective Game 6s. But Barkley doesn’t need to wait all the way until next week to make his prediction.
On last night’s episode of the NBA on TNT, Barkley declared that the Pacers will beat the Knicks in their series. Shaquille O’Neal agreed.
“Pacers will beat the Knicks if they play in the playoffs… I think the Pacers beat the Knicks. I think they beat them,” Barkley said.
Ernie Johnson pointed out that the Knicks won two of their three regular season meetings against the Pacers, but Barkley was unmoved.
The Knicks showed tremendous heart during their series against the Philadelphia 76ers, winning in six on the back of an epic series from star guard Jalen Brunson as well as some big moments from the likes of Josh Hart, OG Anunoby and Donte DiVincenzo among others.
The Pacers proved that they’re not to be trifled with either though. While the Milwaukee Bucks may have been missing megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo, they still had some starpower on their side and won two games. Nevertheless, Pascal Siakam, Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton and even ex-Knick Obi Toppin all played their part in getting the Pacers to the Eastern Conference Semifinals for the first time in 10 years.
It’s looking like an exciting series is on the way.
Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals will be Monday, May 6 at Madison Square Garden.