INDIANAPOLIS — With Jalen Brunson getting harassed in a 2-for-13 first half against swarms of double and triple teams, the Knicks’ other two starting guards started the game in a good offensive rhythm.
Donte DiVincenzo and Miles McBride scored 15 points each in the first two quarters.
But while Brunson got things figured out after intermission with 26 of his 31 points, the other duo went cold and combined for just seven points in the second half of a 116-103 Game 6 loss. against the Pacers Friday night.
“I think they were just flying,” McBride, who started the last two games, said of the Pacers afterward. “They were shooting pretty well, just trying to get us off the 3-point line. I think a lot of it also comes from the fact that we got stops, and then we didn’t get stops.
While Brunson couldn’t go unnoticed in the first half, McBride and DiVincenzo kept the Knicks within reach with 30 points between them on 12-for-18 shooting from the field, including three 3-pointers each.
But DiVincenzo made just two free throws in the final two quarters while missing all four of his field goal attempts.
McBride also only attempted four shots, making two and adding five points to his total.
“I think we go back and watch the film and see how we can adjust on the offensive end,” DiVincenzo said. “I think we’re at our best when we’re going side to side, going downhill, spreading the ball.
“I think they’ve done a good job of suppressing everything we do, so you have to give them credit. But at the same time we will make adjustments. We will understand how we won games all season. And there is no doubt in my mind that we will respond on Sunday.
New York Post
