The Pacers are in the Big Apple tonight to take on their longtime rivals the New York Knicks. Beyond the historical animosity, there’s plenty of modern talking points for the fan bases to spar over.

The debate over who is the better point guard, Haliburton or Brunson, started in earnest with Wally Sczerbiak’s ill fated (and since retracted) comments about Tyrese being a "wannabe All Star." It then picked up steam over the summer when Brunson was awarded the starting role on Team USA but was throughly outplayed by his backup. Now, with both players having career seasons, the competition for “point god” status doesn’t appear as if it will simmer down anytime soon.

Moreover, both teams have swung big trades in the last month for Toronto Raptor forwards. Though former IU standout O.G. Anunoby will not play tonight, he will always be one of those players that Indy fans feel should have been a Pacer. The debate on whether he or Siakam was a better acquisition is sure to heat up in the coming months as both teams eye deep playoff runs.

And then there’s that – the soul of every rivalry – playoff competition. It’s impossible to predict whether we’ll see the Knicks in the playoffs any time soon… but it sure feels like we will.

New York has built a very competitive team. The Knicks won 14 games during the month of January including eight straight. Much like the Pacers, they enjoy a very deep roster, which has been able to pick up slack despite multiple missed games from Brunson, Anunoby, Julius Randle, and Isaiah Hartenstein. Over the past two weeks, they are the best team in the NBA in points-per-possession differential at +18.4. They achieve that margin behind the third best offense and, in a typically Thibodeau fashion, the league's best defense.

Tonight will be another tough test for the Pacers as they start to get healthy and settle into rotations with both Haliburton and Siakam in the lineup. Last game Haliburton only played 22 minutes as he works his way back from his hamstring injury. Expect him to be on another short leash, though how short remains to be seen.

Injuries

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 7:30 PM ET.

TV: Bally Sports Indiana, NBA League Pass

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

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