In a closely contested game Friday night, Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle made the bold decision to go 11-deep against the New York Knicks. The move paid off as the Pacers took a 2-0 series lead over their Eastern Conference rivals.
Addressing Rebounding Issues
Carlisle acknowledged that his team struggled on the boards in Game 1, particularly against Mitchell Robinson’s athleticism. To combat this issue, he turned to reserve big man Tony Bradley for brief stints. Bradley had played only 17 minutes of mop-up duty in four postseason appearances before this game, but he showed promise against Robinson.
- Against Robinson, Bradley played eight minutes – four each in the second and third quarters.
- He grabbed a couple of rebounds with a positive rating of plus-1.
"Tony Bradley hasn’t played in this series, but he’s one of our better rebounders," Carlisle said after Game 2 at Madison Square Garden.
Bradley’s limited playing time was due to his lack of experience in high-pressure situations like these playoffs. However, his performance against Robinson demonstrated that he could hold his own against one of the Knicks’ most athletic players.
Quick Substitutions and Player Performance
Meanwhile, Pacers centers Myles Turner and Thomas Bryant picked up two fouls by halftime, forcing Carlisle to make quick substitutions once they were cleared from foul trouble.
- Turner finished with seven points on three shots.
- Bryant added five points on two shots despite playing just nine minutes.
In contrast to Carlisle’s unconventional strategy, Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau has stuck almost exclusively with his starting five throughout these first two contests. Dependable veteran big Precious Achiuwa and late-season pickup P.J. Tucker have not seen significant playing time since the opening tipoff.
Strategic Differences
The difference between Thibodeau’s approach and Carlisle’s is evident as the playoffs progress and teams are forced to make tough decisions about their rotations. While it remains unclear how long both coaches will stick with their current strategies, one thing is certain: both teams will need all hands on deck if they hope to advance deeper into the postseason.
Intense Matchup Ahead
The matchup between these two teams has been marked by intense physical play from both sides during these first two games.
As for what lies ahead for both teams, the stakes are higher than ever before, and every player will be called upon to give it their all if they want to emerge victorious.
Only time will tell which team will come out on top, but one thing is certain: it won’t be easy for either side.
The Indiana Pacers are looking forward to taking on whatever challenges lie ahead, and they’re confident that their depth will serve them well as they continue their quest for playoff success.
For now, they’ll take things one game at a time, focusing on making adjustments as needed and capitalizing on any opportunities that come their way.
It won’t be easy, but with determination and hard work, anything is possible.
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