The Indiana Pacers can even an invigorating second-round series with a Game 4 victory over the New York Knicks.
After losing the opening two games on the road, Indiana avoided a 3-0 hole with a 111-106 victory on Wednesday night. The Pacers are 5.5-point favorites to defeat the short-handed Knicks at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon.
ESPN Analytics also anticipates a tied series heading back to Madison Square Garden. Its matchup predictor gives Indiana a 55 percent probability of prevailing.
Following a Game 2 loss, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle chastised the officiating at Madison Square Garden by declaring that small-market teams “deserve a fair shot.” It was Tom Thibodeau’s turn to lament close calls that didn’t favor his team after Wednesday’s game.
“From my vantage point, I thought those calls could’ve gone our way, but I’m not gonna comment until I look at the film,” he told reporters, via SNY. “We’ve just got to find a way to win. That’s the bottom line.”
Already missing Julius Randle, the Knicks have lost Mitchell Robinson and Bogdanović this postseason. They have also ruled out OG Anunoby for Sunday’s game due to a hamstring injury suffered in Game 2.
Averaging 16.4 points and 6.8 rebounds per game in the playoffs, Anunoby made seven of 14 three-pointers in New York’s two victories over Indiana. Without the midseason acquisition, the Knicks will need more huge minutes from Donte DiVincenzo, who’s scored 88 points in the last three games.
The Pacers listed Tyrese Haliburton as questionable with lower back spasms, a right ankle sprain, and a sacral contusion. There’s no official word on his Game 4 status.
Sunday’s game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.