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  • Jalen Brunson struggles early, finishes with 31
    Jalen Brunson played 38 minutes in Friday’s 116-103 loss to the Pacers, accounting for 31 points (11-of-26 FGs, 6-of-9 FTs), one rebound, five assists, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Brunson may have finished Game 6 with a solid point total, but this was anything but a masterclass from the Knicks point guard. After making his first two shot attempts, he missed 11 straight, going into the locker room having shot 2-of-13 from the field. A free throw to begin the third quarter got Brunson going, as he scored 14 of his 31 in the period. But the damage had been done by that point, especially with the other Knicks failing to get going. Brunson and the Knicks head home to host Game 7 on Sunday, with the winner advancing to face Boston in the Eastern Conference Finals. The franchise last hosted a Game 7 in 1995, which they lost to the Pacers. Rotoworld 12 minutes ago
     
  • T.J. McConnell scores 15 points in 16 minutes
    T.J. McConnell finished Friday’s 116-103 win over the Knicks with 15 points (7-of-13 FGs, 1-of-1 FTs), two rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 16 minutes.

    Advice: McConnell may have only played 16 minutes in Game 6, but that was all the time he needed to impact the action. In addition to scoring repeatedly around the basket, the veteran point guard was a defensive pest. McConnell and Obi Toppin have impacted this series, with the former offering more consistent production. Toppin also played well in Game 6, finishing with 11 points, four rebounds, one assist, and one 3-pointer in 18 minutes. Given New York’s lack of depth, McConnell and Toppin can be difference-makers in Game 7 on Sunday. Rotoworld 19 minutes ago
     
  • Tyrese Haliburton tallies 15 points, nine assists
    Tyrese Haliburton logged 32 minutes in Friday’s 116-103 win over the Knicks, accumulating 15 points (6-of-12 FGs), six rebounds, nine assists, two blocks, and three 3-pointers.

    Advice: Haliburton and the Pacers rebounded nicely from their 30-point loss in Game 5, pulling away from the Knicks during the second quarter and extending the series to a decisive seventh game. The All-Star point guard only attempted 12 shots in Game 6, but this was a night when it made more sense to attack whoever was defending Pascal Siakam. Haliburton was productive in the assist and blocked shot categories and shot 50% from the field. Game 7 is on Sunday afternoon in New York, with the winner advancing to face the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Rotoworld 23 minutes ago
     
  • Myles Turner posts 17/8/3/0/2 line in Game 6 rout
    Myles Turner finished Friday’s 116-103 win over the Knicks with 17 points (6-of-10 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and one 3-pointer in 31 minutes.

    Advice: Following their 30-point loss in Game 5, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle described his team’s effort as “embarrassing.” The players took those words to heart, maybe none more than Turner. Isaiah Hartenstein, who grabbed 12 offensive rebounds in Game 5, was his assignment in that loss, and the longest-tenured Pacer was much better on Friday night. In addition to throwing down a few thunderous dunks, Turner led the Pacers in rebounds and did an excellent job of protecting the rim. He’ll look to do more of the same in Game 7 on Sunday afternoon. Rotoworld 27 minutes ago
     
  • Mid-range mastery: Pascal Siakam scores 25 points
    Pascal Siakam shot 11-of-21 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line in Friday’s win over the Knicks, scoring 25 points with seven rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 31 minutes.

    Advice: After getting blown out in Game 5, the Pacers returned the favor in Game 6 to keep their season alive. And Siakam was a significant part of that. Spicy P shot 11-of-19 from two, doing a lot of his damage in the mid-range. He led six Pacers in double figures with 25 points, and all five starters grabbed at least six rebounds. Siakam and the Pacers will need a similar effort in Game 7 on Sunday, as they are 1-5 on the road this postseason. Rotoworld 32 minutes ago
     
  • Leaves game early
    Hart left Friday's Game 6 against the Pacers early with abdominal soreness and wasn't able to return. He finished with five points, eight rebounds, three assists and one block in 31 minutes.

    Advice: Hart has been powering through a variety of ailments in the playoffs, but the Knicks likely erred on the side of caution Friday due to the lopsided score. Presumably, Hart should be ready for Game 7 by Sunday, but there will be more clarity on Saturday when the Knicks practice. Rotowire.com 40 minutes ago
     
  • Josh Hart (abdominals) will not return Friday
    Josh Hart (abdominal soreness) will not return to Friday’s game against the Pacers.

    Advice: Hart took a hit to the midsection during the first half of Game 6 and was never right after that. While he did his best to fight through the pain, the explosiveness was gone on both ends of the floor. With the Knicks on the wrong end of a blowout, the decision was made to give Hart a head start on treatment ahead of Sunday’s Game 7. New York already has a limited rotation, so not having him for the deciding game would be nearly catastrophic. Rotoworld 51 minutes ago
     
  • Woj: Porzingis likely to miss Games 1 and 2 of ECF
    According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Kristaps Porzingis (right soleus strain) is unlikely to be available for Games 1 and 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals.

    Advice: Injured during Game 4 of Boston’s first-round matchup with Miami, Porzingis missed Game 5 of that series and the second-round (five games) against Cleveland. On May 4, the 7-foot-3 big man said he was “slowly making progress” in his recovery, with the Celtics considering him to be week-to-week. Regardless of who the Celtics draw in the conference finals, Games 1 and 2 will be played on Tuesday (May 21) and Thursday (May 23) of next week. According to Wojnarowski, there is optimism that Porzingis will be available at some point in the series, with Boston taking on either New York or Indiana. Al Horford will remain in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. Rotoworld Today, 5:13 pm
     
  • Expected to miss start of Round 3
    Porzingis (calf) is expected to miss the start of the third-round series in the Eastern Conference Finals, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports.

    Advice: Porzingis has been sidelined since he sustained a calf injury in Game 4 of Boston's first-round series. Wojnarowski reports that Porzingis is making progress in his recovery, and there's some optimism that he could return at some point during the series. Boston will face the winner of the second-round series between the Knicks and Pacers, and the opening two games are slated for Tuesday and Thursday. Rotowire.com Today, 5:13 pm