The Pacers are in a hole. It's deep but the sky is still visible. How they play tonight will determine if they start to climb out or if they get buried alive.

You'd like to think this is a bounce-back game. The oddsmakers certainly think so, favoring the Pacers by seven.

First, the Knicks, as physically dominant as they were in Game 2, are clearly feeling the effects of a grueling playoff run. When you combine that exhaustion with the energy the Pacers will derive from a frenzied Gold Out crowd, it feels like we're going to see the home team run the visitors off the floor.

But then again, predicting how the Pacers will play in games where they are the favorites is tricky business. For most of this year, this is the type of game they would overlook and lose. However, this is the first time they've been backed into a corner the way they are now, down 0-2.

Certainly they won't lack a sense of urgency with the season on the line, right? Right?

Hibbert In the House

Hopefully having Hibbert, eraser of Knicks All-Stars, in the building is a good omen for how the Pacers will play defense tonight. Really, any resistance at all would be an improvement from Game 2.

Injuries

OG Anunoby is out and Jalen Brunson is questionable (but let's be real, he's playing).

How to Watch

Tipoff is at 7:00 PM ET.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 93.5/107.5 The Fan

See ya in the comments!

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