Playoffs 2000:Knicks look for solution to Pacers' offense

Knicks look for solution to Pacers' offense
Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- Stunned by the diversified offense of the Indiana Pacers, the New York Knicks need a defensive solution in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference finals.

Thursday, May 25
Game 1 was somewhat predictable. It was tough for the Knicks to come back and get into this series after the emotional drama from their series with Miami. But now the Knicks have had a game, and I think they will at least get a better start in Game 2.

It still appears that Allan Houston is less than at his best, and Reggie Miller is working very hard to maximize everything against Houston. He's defending tough, running the floor, and working Houston him off screens. I also thought the Pacers got Rik Smits off very nicely, which is important for them.

The Knicks will play it tougher in Game 2, but I still think Indiana will find a way to win. It's the Knicks defense against Indiana's offense. And Indiana got pretty much what it wanted from its offense in Game 1.

Austin Croshere was dynamite off the bench and far outplayed Marcus Camby. I would expect Croshere not to be quite as dynamic in Game 2, but the Knicks have to really step it up. The Pacers outrebounded them. And even though both are weak rebounding teams, the Knicks can't allow that disparity in rebounding and expect to win.

The Knicks knew all about Reggie Miller, Rik Smits, Mark Jackson and Jalen Rose heading into the best-of-seven series.

Reserve Austin Croshere, who matched his career-high of 22 points to lead Indiana in Tuesday's 102-88 victory, and a jump shooting Dale Davis were another story.

Each of the six made significant contributions to the victory in Game 1, and New York had no defense against the patient passing offense of Indiana, which produced assists on 32 of the Pacers' 40 baskets.

"We didn't make the adjustment to them being a more crafty offensive team. They move well without the ball and have good catch-and-shoot players," New York's Allan Houston said. "In order for us to win here, we're going to have to make that adjustment."

Indiana scored 35 points in the opening quarter and never trailed.

"We made a big mistake last night with our mental start to that game," New York coach Jeff Van Gundy said.

After tonight's game, the series moves to New York for Game 3 on Saturday and Game 4 on Monday.

Miller, who kept the Knicks busy much of the night as he worked behind screens, anticipates a tougher effort by a New York defense that hadn't allowed more than 88 points in its previous 10 playoff games.

"I think Thursday is going to be a much more physical, much more defensive-oriented game," said Miller, who scored 19 points. "We know they're going to come out and get into the game as quickly as we did in Game 1."

Knicks forward Latrell Sprewell also stressed New York needs an improved defensive game to even the series.

"Any game that's in the 100s is playing into their hands, so we want the scores down," he said.

Miller expects open shots will be harder to get.

"Van Gundy is the best at watching films, making adjustments," Miller said.

Indiana was 10-of-15 on 3-pointers Tuesday.

"This is the best shooting team in the East, and maybe in the league," Van Gundy said. "We can't stand around, let them pass around and get those open shots."

The Pacers built a 19-point lead in the first half, then saw the Knicks get within two early in the third quarter.

That's when Rose, named Wednesday as the NBA's most improved player, went to work. After missing all five of his shots in a scoreless first half, Indiana's leading scorer for the season came up with 17 in the second half.

In balloting by a nationwide panel of sports writers and broadcasters, Rose received 32 of 121 votes. Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki was second with 25 votes and Croshere was fourth with 17.

The recognition to Rose came after he overcame the humbling experience of being sidelined much of the 1996-97 season by former Indiana coach Larry Brown. Fourteen times during the season, Rose didn't even get into a game, and his minutes and point production are the lowest of his six-year career.

"What a wonderful honor," Jackson said. "He's very deserving of it, a guy that didn't pout and hang his head and stop working on his game when things weren't going his way. ... He continued to watch, learn, listen."

Team president Donnie Walsh acquired Rose from Denver in a June 1996 trade.

"He came here with an awful lot of talent," Walsh said of Rose, who will be a free agent at the end of the season. "This award is because of the hard work he's put in and the patience.

"We want to keep Jalen here. ... We'll do what we have to."

Rose had the same thought.

"I'd be lying if I said I want to change uniforms," he said. Rose has scored in double figures in all 12 of Indiana's playoff games this season. He had a career-high 40 in Game 1 of the conference semifinals against Philadelphia and followed with 30 in Game 2. Rose has a playoff average of 20.3 going into tonight's game.