Pacers take commanding 3-1 lead over Knicks in Eastern Conference Finals

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana Pacers are one win away from earning their second-ever trip to the NBA Finals.

The Pacers rebounded from a fourth quarter collapse in Game 3 to beat the New York Knicks, 130-121, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Game 4 on Tuesday. With the win, Indiana took a 3-1 lead in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Point guard Tyrese Haliburton registered a triple-double with 32 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds. Forward Pascal Siakam added 30 points and guard Bennedict Mathurin had 20 off the bench.

Indiana exploded for 43 points in the first quarter behind Haliburton’s 15 points, six assists and five rebounds. The Pacers led by eight after one frame.

The Knicks rallied in the second quarter to take the lead. Guard Jalen Brunson’s three-point play put New York up 64-63 before the Pacers closed the quarter on a 6-0 run to lead 69-64 at halftime.

Indiana continued the run in the third quarter, scoring the first seven points of the half, taking a 76-64 lead on a Myles Turner 3-pointer. The Pacers led 102-91 after three.

Indiana extended the lead in the fourth, taking a 15-point lead on a Siakam 3-pointer. The Knicks cut the deficit to six twice down the stretch, but forward Obi Toppin’s 3-pointer to beat the shot clock put the Pacers up 10 in the final minute to seal the game.

Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points, while forward Karl-Anthony Towns added 24 points.

The Pacers only losses in the playoffs are in Game 3 of all three series. They rebounded to win Game 4 each time.

Guard Aaron Nesmith started for the Pacers after injuring his right ankle midway through the third quarter of Game 3.

Indiana has a chance to close out the series in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.