3 Battles Excluding Tyrese Haliburton vs Jalen Brunson Which Will Determine Pacers-Knicks ECF

Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson have managed to excite basketball fans after they led their teams to the Eastern Conference Finals. Now, the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks will battle it out for a ticket to the NBA Finals.

The Knicks are fighting to win their first title in over five-plus decades, whereas the Pacers are looking to decorate Gainbridge Fieldhouse with the first-ever title in franchise history. Both teams and their respective fans are hungry for success and believe the onus falls on the two star guards.

Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson are both elite scorers as well as playmakers. The former is slightly better at the playmaking part, whereas the Knicks star is more of a scorer. Along with that, both are not that great at defense, but when going at each other with the season on the line, they can do their part.

Their WWE scripted rivalry aside, both the star guards are also the leading superstars on their respective teams. That means their teammates will feed off them. But there are a few other battles that will impact the outcome of this series when it tips off on May 21st.

Karl-Anthony Towns vs Myles Turner

The second most important player on the New York Knicks is Karl-Anthony Towns. The New York Knicks traded for him after understanding that he would help elevate the squad more than Julius Randle. KAT has been exceptional, with his improved performances coming off a desire to prove his critics wrong.

That is where Myles Turner has to be wary. The Indiana Pacers’ star center has to ensure KAT does not go off. Turner is a better defender and can score when he wants. If he can keep the former Kentucky forward at bay, the Pacers will have the edge.

If not, then Towns will run ragged, and his range will help Jalen Brunson and the others to feast. But KAT also has to remember that Turner plays well alongside Tyrese Haliburton, and their combination can lead to some unwanted results.

Pascal Siakam vs Josh Hart

If anyone had talked about this potential matchup a couple of years ago, many would believe that Pascal Siakam would be too much for the New York Knicks forward to handle. But Josh Hart has established his reputation as being one of the most relentless competitors in the league.

Be it defending, rebounding, clutch plays, and scoring when needed, Hart comes up big when the occasion demands it. He will sacrifice his body for his team if needed, which should send the Indiana Pacers forward to the film room to take additional notes.

Siakam can dominate a game whenever he wants while defending at a high level. Both him and Hart will most probably set the tone on how their teams perform. If either falter, their respective teams might struggle.

Andrew Nembhard vs OG Anunoby

Technically, this is a mismatch from the off. Andrew Nembhard is a score-first guard who is not as elite a defender as OG Anunoby. The New York Knicks forward is an All-Star in the making, and his physicality can make it difficult for any opponent.

However, Nembhard and his Indiana Pacers have reached the Eastern Conference Finals on the basis of their pace and ability to score at will. They have improved defensively, but do not rely on it completely for success.

Nembhard will look to use his agility to get open and score, possibly tiring Anunoby out before he can slow him or Tyrese Haliburton down. But the latter is a smart basketball player, and if he can clamp down on the Gonzaga alum.

These matchups might not sound like they are convincing battles. But the way the teams are constructed, they do not necessarily stick to a particular position or role to be effective. That is what makes these battles noteworthy, as they will determine who ends up winning a chance to win the NBA title.

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