The Cardiac Knicks survived another one.
Comfortable when they’re supposed to be uneasy and confident when the spotlight is brightest, the ‘Nova trio again carried New York to a close victory, 121-117, toppling the Pacers in Game 1 of the East semis.
Donte DiVincenzo was probably deserving of the game ball after hitting the clutch 3-pointer with 39 seconds left to break a 115-115 tie and later draw the big foul.
He finished with 25 points, all while serving as the main defender on Tyrese Haliburton and holding the Pacers All-Star to a measly six points.
Jalen Brunson showed the type of scoring brilliance that’s come to be expected from the point guard, finishing with 43 points in 43 minutes.
Josh Hart was everywhere with 23 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.
Still, the Knicks were in danger of losing Game 1 for most of the evening.
They had to climb out of a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter and trailed by 2 with 90 seconds left.
Brunson followed with a stepback in the paint, the Pacers missed a trey, and DiVincenzo knocked down his 3-pointer off Brunson’s assist.
Following a Brunson turnover with 18 seconds left, the Pacers had a chance to tie the game but Myles Turner was whistled for a controversial illegal screen on the following possession.
So the Knicks captured Game 1 for a second straight series despite its bench being outscored, 48-3.
