The Indiana Pacers are playing with house money — and a red-hot hand — heading into Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals tonight at Madison Square Garden. After one of the wildest postseason comebacks in recent memory, they’ll try to steal a second straight game on the road and put the New York Knicks in a 0-2 hole before the series shifts to Indianapolis.

But don’t expect New York to roll over. Not in that building. Not after that collapse.

What Happened in Game 1

In short? Madness.

The Knicks led by 17 points with under seven minutes to play, and by 14 with less than three minutes left. But the Pacers refused to die. Aaron Nesmith turned into a human torch, Tyrese Haliburton hit a game-tying buzzer-beater to end regulation, and in overtime, Indiana surged ahead for a 138-135 victory that left Madison Square Garden in stunned silence.

It was a classic Knicks-Pacers moment — full of drama, swings, and heartbreak — adding another chapter to one of the NBA’s greatest rivalries.

Key Storylines Heading Into Game 2

Can the Knicks Regroup?

New York had everything going in Game 1: Jalen Brunson was electric with 43 points. Karl-Anthony Towns dominated early and finished with 35 and 12. They controlled pace, punished the Pacers inside, and seemed to have the game wrapped up — until they didn’t.

After the collapse, the question is mental: Can this team respond with composure, or will the echoes of past postseason meltdowns creep in? This Knicks team has been praised all year for its grit and culture but Game 2 is a test of resilience like no other.

Indiana’s Composure and Depth

The Pacers are now 5-1 on the road this postseason, and they looked like the looser, freer team in crunch time. Haliburton (31 points, 11 assists) ran the show with calm, but the real revelation was Nesmith, who poured in 30 points on 8-of-9 shooting from three.

Rick Carlisle’s bench — notably T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin (who played as the 5 during OT) — was pivotal in the comeback. Their confidence is snowballing, and they’ll enter tonight feeling like they have nothing to lose.

X-Factor: The Garden Crowd

Game 1 was gut-wrenching. Game 2? The Garden faithful will be desperate, loud, and likely volcanic. The Knicks have always fed off their home energy — but if the Pacers can weather that early storm and keep things close, the pressure could flip on home team fast.

The Knicks need a response. The Pacers want a stranglehold. The rivalry is burning again, and the stakes haven’t been this high since Reggie Miller was wagging fingers at Spike Lee.

It’s Game 2. It’s the Garden. It's Race Weekend, damnit. Buckle up.

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 8:00 PM ET.

TV: TNT, MAX

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

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