Image Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Stephen A. Smith Makes Bold Prediction For Eastern Conference Finals Series Between Knicks and Pacers

The Pacers will lock horns with the Knicks in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Image Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

ESPN broadcaster Stephen A. Smith made a bold prediction about the Eastern Conference Semifinals series between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks. Smith claimed that the series will go all the way to Game 7, and the winner will be decided in the final fixture, who will make its way to the NBA Finals. Notably, the Pacers aim to win their first ever NBA championship as they lock horns with the two-time winners, New York Knicks.

The Knicks defeated the reigning champions Boston Celtics in conference semifinals to make it to the conference finals for the first time since 2000. Following the game, Smith made a bold prediction about the series and confidently claimed that it will go on till Game 7. While speaking on SportsCenter, he said, “I think it’s got seven games written all over it.”

Speaking about both the teams, Smith said that while the Pacers aren’t considered elite by some in terms of their defense, they are an offensively strong team. He also went on to call them a “well-balanced team”. The 57-year-old said, “The Indiana Pacers aren’t considered elite defensively, at least by some, but they’re certainly big-time offensively. They can put points up in bunches, and they can get stops when they need to stop.”

The pundit went on to say that while the team doesn’t have a ‘superstar’, they are certainly respected. He opined, “You don’t look at anybody on their squad and say superstar, but they are to be big-time respected.”

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Halliburton Is Not Overrated- Stephen A. Smith Makes His Stance Clear About Pacers’ Guard

Stephen A. Smith also heaped praise on Tyrese Haliburton, who was named the most-overrated player in the NBA this season. Disagreeing with the polls, Smith stated, “I don’t know anybody that’s calling him overrated, he is not overrated.” Notably, in ten games he played for the Pacers this off season, Haliburton averaged 17.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 9.3 assists per contest.

Smith also went on to talk about other players from the Pacers squad and said that they are being coached by a champion, Rick Carlisle. Moreover, he also showed his confidence in the Pacers, saying that they won’t have any problem going against the Knicks.

The NBA Analyst also had advice for the New York Knicks, who aim for their third NBA championship. He said that the Knicks would have to level up their game offensively, stating, “The New York Knicks are going to have to show up. I think they’re going to have to be more efficient offensively. I think they’re going to have to be more consistent defensively in order to win this series.”

The best-of-seven series will begin on Wednesday, May 21, at MSG in New York.

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Indiana Pacers

New York Knicks

Stephen A. Smith

Garima Ranawat

Garima is a sports writer with around two years of experience in Indian sports and a newfound interest in the NBA. Inspired by the leadership of cricketing legend MS Dhoni, she wishes to bring in newer perspectives to the NBA fanatics with her writing.