The Indiana Pacers staged a thrilling comeback in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks, securing a 111-106 victory on Friday night in Indianapolis. Despite the win, the Knicks still hold a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, with Game 4 scheduled for Sunday in Indianapolis.
Andrew Nembhard's clutch 31-foot 3-pointer with 16 seconds remaining proved to be the game-winning shot, propelling the Pacers to victory. Tyrese Haliburton led the charge for Indiana with an impressive 35-point performance, marking his second consecutive playoff career high. Pascal Siakam contributed 26 points and seven rebounds, while Myles Turner added 21 points and 10 rebounds.
On the Knicks' side, Donte DiVincenzo led the scoring with 35 points, including seven successful 3-pointers. Jalen Brunson chipped in with 26 points and six rebounds, but his efforts were not enough to secure the win for New York.
Despite missing key players like Julius Randle, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Mitchell Robinson due to season-ending injuries, the Knicks put up a valiant effort. Alec Burks, who had seen limited postseason action, stepped up with 14 points in 21 minutes of play.
The Pacers, who had struggled to close out games in the series, found their rhythm in the fourth quarter. Haliburton spearheaded the comeback after the team trailed by nine points with less than 10 minutes remaining. Indiana's strong finish was fueled by a resilient defensive effort and timely scoring.
With the series poised at 2-1 in favor of the Knicks, both teams are gearing up for a crucial Game 4 showdown on Sunday. The Pacers will look to build on their momentum, while the Knicks aim to bounce back and extend their lead.
As the Eastern Conference semifinals continue to unfold, basketball fans can expect more thrilling action and intense matchups between these two competitive teams.
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