NBA Playoffs 2013: Pacers slam door on Knicks

The ending, however, was wholly unsatisfying. They squandered home court advantage in the second round and went out of their way to make it as difficult as possible by using questionable lineups and straying from what got them there in the first place.

They ran out of steam in the fourth quarter as Woodson stubbornly refused to use his best combinations and the ghost of Tyson Chandler fouled out. The Knicks died as they lived, alternating between exhilarating highs and maddening lows.

Amar’e Stoudemire feels the Knicks didn’t properly use his talents in the postseason, griping about Mike Woodson’s decision not to play him in the second half of Game 6 against the Indiana Pacers.

Stoudemire, who is owed $44 million over the next two seasons, missed most of the beginning of the season with knee debridement surgery. He had the same procedure in his other knee and didn’t play any regular season games after March 7. But finally healthy, Stoudemire barely saw any action for the Knicks against the Pacers. He only played 5:47 in Game 6, all in the first half, even remaining on the pine when Tyson Chandler and Kenyon Martin fouled out late in the game.

Roy Hibbert played an enormous role. He was a force on both ends of the court, and the Knicks simply had no answers for him. Kenyon Martin tried to “pull the chair” but was left completely helpless as Hibbert dunked all over him.

Hibbert also totally locked down the paint for Indiana. This play was absolutely huge late in the game. Carmelo Anthony went up for a dunk to give the Knicks a 4-point lead, but he got his shot swatted right back in his face.

“This is the first time this team has ever been assembled,” Woodson said. “I mean we did a lot of special things this season, so to walk away from tonight and say that this is a disaster, absolutely not.”

While this roster does have several questions, opening are likely to be filled internally, resulting in players having another year of experience together. Regardless, for the first time in a long time, the Knicks have a core they can build on moving forward instead of trying to rebuild on the fly.

Game 1 is scheduled for Wednesday night in Miami, which means the Heat will have a full week of rest between games. Play remains in Miami for Game 2 before the series shifts to Indianapolis Sunday and Tuesday for Games 3 and 4. If necessary, the series will swing back to Miami for Game 5.

Time: 8:30 p.m. ET, Wed., May 22

TV, streaming info: TNT

The Pacers initially took control of the game in the second quarter thanks to balanced scoring from their starting five and utter domination on the glass. The Pacers out-rebounded the Knicks 25-15 in the first half. Stephenson was key in the first half, scoring 13 points, including a three-point play with five seconds left to stretch the Pacers lead to eight at the half. Anthony’s 20 first-half points and eight Pacers turnovers were the only two things that kept Indiana from blowing the game open.

Anthony wouldn’t let the Knicks go quietly, scoring 35 of his 39 points in the first three quarters as the Knicks tried to fight back. George continued to hound him on defense, but Anthony was able to convert just a couple of inches of space into points. Anthony did struggle in the fourth quarter, though, making just two of his seven shot attempts.

Really, JR Smith? You couldn’t tie your shoe during a timeout or something? Come on.

The unusually high scoring continued in the second quarter, but the Pacers were able to extend their lead thanks to the combination of their continued dominance inside and jump shots for any Knick not named Carmelo Anthony clanging off the rim. Before the game, Drew Garrison listed three storylines that would help determine Game 6. Here’s where we stand so far.

They did for most of the first quarter, but then the reserves came in and they started piling up a bit. Overall though, the return of Hill did a lot to cut down on the turnovers, as the Pacers have eight for the half. Not ideal, but not on pace for the 19 they had in Game 5. Hill even led Indiana on a couple of fast breaks, something that’s been a rare sight in this series.

Ken Mauer, what are you doing? Nobody was paying attention during this jump ball at all. Why did he decide to throw it while nobody was looking? Weird.

Will it be enough on Sunday? Let’s take a look at three keys to the game:

The Pacers turned the ball over 19 times in Game 5. Yes, they were missing Hill, but turnovers have been a constant issue for Indiana in this series. They’ve averaged 17.8 turnovers through five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The Pacers’ focus on defense is unquestionable, but they cannot continue to give possessions away. A turnover has a zero percent chance of being a successful field goal. I’ve done the math.

For Chandler, this is just the latest injury he’ll have to play through this offseason. Already dealing with knee and back injuries sustained in the Knicks’ Game 5 victory, he insisted Saturday morning he’s “fine” but it’s reasonable to wonder how he’ll play considering the issues he’s already had this postseason.

After averaging a double-double during the regular season, Chandler has put up six points and 7.5 rebounds per game in 11 postseason contests this year. His presence on the offensive end has been minimal, but New York can hardly afford to lose his post presence on the other end of the court.

Game Date/Time: Saturday, May 18, 8 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN