Analysis: The Knicks bench is the key to pushing the Pacers into Game 7 in the Eastern Conference Finals

The New York Knicks need their role players to continue to play well if they want to force Game 7 into the winner-take-all situation.

The New York Knicks performed brilliantly on Thursday night, defeating the Indiana Pacers 111-94. The Knicks are back in the Eastern Conference Finals and are turning the situation around in the current 3-2 series. New York led the game in Game 5 and limited Pacers guard Tyres Halliburton's seven shots to eight points.

As expected, the Knicks star players led the way. Jaylen Brunson scored 32 points, including 30 points in the first three quarters. Carl Anthony Towns scored 24 points and 13 rebounds.

Brunson talked about the team's commitment in Game 5 in his post-match comment.

"I am very proud of our performance," Brunson told reporters. “Now we have to replicate this state in the first quarter of the next game and continue to work hard on that.”

As mentioned above, Brunson performed very well in Game 5. But an interesting trend in Game 5 (and previous ones) is that the Knicks also played well without Brunson. They have to continue this momentum to extend the series and bring Game 7 back to New York. In the fifth game, head coach Tom Thibodeau once again launched the bench. Thibodeau sent 10 players to key positions, including defenders Landry Shamet and Deron Wright. Shamet and Wright also performed no less. According to the Basketball Reference News, they averaged +4 in 14 minutes and 10 minutes of playing time respectively.

Shamet performed particularly well in this game, showing strong defensive abilities against the larger Pascal Siakam. His influence was so great that when he left the fourth quarter, the audience at Madison Garden Stadium couldn't help but shout "SHA-MET" - a great compliment from high IQ audiences. Wright's tenacious defense also contributed to the fact that he largely disrupted the Pacers' offensive rhythm. In fact, the Pacers scored zero in the fast break in Game 5, and Shamet and Wright's contributions were indelible.

Shamet and Wright's contribution is largely due to the tenacity they show. After Brunson was out, the Knicks had to limit the Pacers’ rim, and Shamet and Wright seemed capable of doing it. They are all players with ball ability to defend and have enough height and wingspan to disrupt the opponent's offense.

But it's not just Shamet and Wright. In the second half, when Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle showed his willingness to "cut Mickey tactics", Thibodeau also let Presches Achouva come on the court. Achuwa did not disappoint. He scored plus-minus +6 in just six minutes, and both shots turned into points at the basket, eventually snatching defensive rebounds for the Knicks, and he also made a goal to expand the team's lead.

To reach Game 7, the Knicks must continue to use the newly acquired bench depth.

The Knicks must continue to rely on bench depth. Bench depth is objectively important, but when the role player's impact on the game is different from the starting player, bench depth is particularly important. Shamet, Wright and Miles McBride bring a completely unique skill set that complements the starter (and Josh Hart) and catches the Pacers off guard.

Make the most of Roll's players can bring important rhythm changes. If the Knicks starters perform well, then be sure to keep them on the court. But if they are not doing well, or the Pacers start to strike back, it is reassuring that the Knicks have enough lineup depth.

Although New York won Game 5, the Indiana Pacers don't seem to be very interested in launching a counterattack. Game 6 will not be like this. Saturday's game is expected to be a fighting Pacers team, as well as hostile and raucous Indiana fans. But the Knicks know clearly that the Pacers’ goal – that is to speed up the pace – fans should not be a problem at this stage of the season. New York just needs to execute like in Game 5, which means making the most of their bench. Hopefully, the Knicks role players can continue to accept the challenge as their immortality may be at stake.