The Indiana Pacers defeated the New York Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals to advance to the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Pascal Siakam, who was named the Eastern Conference Finals MVP, finished with 31 points. Tyrese Haliburton added 21 points.
“Pascal and Tyrese put us on their backs and made sure we would not lose,” said Rick Carlisle after the game. “But our work has just begun.”
OG Anunoby lead the Knicks with 24 points, with Karl-Anthony Towns adding 22 points and 14 rebounds.
With the Knicks turning ball over 17 times in Game 6, Tom Thibodeau blamed a combination of turnovers and a lack of defense for the loss.
“There were stretches where we played very good defense and stretches where we didn’t,” Thibodeau said. “I think once you dig into it and you look at is, was it our defense? Or was it our turnovers? I think it was probably a combination of both.”
Jarace Walker injured his ankle in the fourth quarter and was on crutches following the game. His status for Game 1 of the Finals is uncertain.
The Pacers opened as +525 underdogs heading into Thursday’s Game 1.