C-Mac is convinced that the Knicks locked up the series with their game five win on Tuesday night, mainly because they showed their star power, while the Pacers showed that they are lacking in that department.
Specifically because Tyrese Haliburton, so effective in Indiana, was a no-show like he was in game one at The Garden, finishing with 13 points after being bottled up by new Knicks starter Miles McBride.
“Haliburton is so frustrated, he is passing up layups late in the game,” C-Mac said. “Who do the Pacers have when the rubber meets the road?
“When the game is on the line and they need a bucket, I don’t know where they’re going. I don’t know if you can trust Haliburton. I know exactly where the Knicks are going.”
Brunson, foot injury and all, erupted for 44 points in game five, while Haliburton was largely absent in the 30-point blowout loss. C-Mac says that kind of disparity in each team’s star means that the Knicks are in the driver’s seat to reach the Eastern Conference Final.
“We have Jalen Brunson, and they have Tyrese Haliburton, who took five shots in this game,” C-Mac said. “Who passes up layups.”