Knicks, Pacers set for rematch of Eastern Conference semis

The New York Knicks responded to a seven-game loss to the Indiana Pacers in last spring’s Eastern Conference semifinals by going all-in while pursuing the team’s first NBA championship in more than 50 years.The initial returns were not promising for the Knicks, who will look to get back on track Friday when they host the Pacers in a battle of the longtime rivals.It will be the second game of the season for both teams. The visiting Knicks trailed the Boston Celtics for the final 45-plus minutes Tuesday night in a 132-109 loss. The Pacers overcame an eight-point fourth-quarter deficit Wednesday night to edge the host Detroit Pistons, 115-109.Facing the defending NBA champion Celtics — who swept the Pacers before knocking off the Dallas Mavericks in five games to win last year’s title — was a tall task on opening night for the retooled Knicks.But the lopsided loss was particularly discouraging given the offensive struggles of newcomers Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns and the team-wide defensive issues for the Knicks, whose 108.2 points per game allowed last season were the fewest in the Eastern Conference.Bridges, whom the Knicks acquired from the Brooklyn Nets in late June, missed his first five shots before finishing with 16 points while going just 2-of-7 from 3-point land. Bridges was 2-of-19 from beyond the arc in the preseason.Towns, obtained from the Minnesota Timberwolves in a three-team trade Oct. 2, finished with 12 points in less than 24 minutes — the first time he’s had 12 points or fewer in less than 24 minutes in a regular-season game since Nov. 28, 2022, when he suffered a non-contact leg injury and left early.The Knicks also allowed the Celtics to shoot a blistering 47.5 percent (29-of-61) from 3-point land. Boston tied the NBA record for most 3-pointers made in a game despite missing its last 13 attempts.”We’ve just got to do a better job of executing on that end,” Towns said. “Our defensive identity is what’s going to give us a chance to do something great. Offensively, I think we can score. We’ve just got to play defense.”