New York Knicks: Key Matchups To Watch Against Indiana Pacers

A rivalry will resume on Tuesday, December 20 when the New York Knicks hot the Indiana Pacers. Which matchups will define this encounter?

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) misses a game tying three pointer at the buzzer against Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats New York 108-105. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Forgive the cliche, but winning in sports is all about coming out on the right end of the important matchups. Winning a matchup is subjective, but if everything goes according to plan, teams should be able to achieve the optimal result.

The question is: which matchups will play the biggest role in determining the outcome of the rivalry game between the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers?

New York will host Indiana on Tuesday, December 20 in a game with early postseason implications. The 14-13 Knicks and 15-14 Pacers each have the potential to be dominant forces, but neither have lived up to the hype early in 2016-17.

Both have depth and star power, however, which makes this game nothing short of a marquee matchup.

The fact that New York and Indiana are rivals only adds fuel to the fire of this potentially high-stakes game. There are still more than 50 games remaining in the regular season, but momentum can be swung in either direction by a result against a rival.

The question is: which matchups will determine the outcome of this clash between the most bitter rivals of the 1990s?

Nov 27, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Al Jefferson (7) moves the ball against Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan (6) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

5. Joakim Noah vs. Al Jefferson

Travel back to 2013-14 and one could argue that Al Jefferson and Joakim Noah were the most valuable centers in the Eastern Conference. Both were named All-NBA and each played instrumental roles in helping their respective teams overachieve and make the playoffs.

Flash forward to 2016-17, however, and Noah is struggling to find his niche with the New York Knicks and Jefferson is coming off the bench.

Don’t let the role changes fool you.

Jefferson is filling his role quite well in Indiana, averaging 18.4 points and 10.3 rebounds per 36 minutes. Noah hasn’t been as bad as he’s been made out to be, posting averages of 7.5 points, 13.1 rebounds, 5.0 offensive rebounds, and 4.4 assists per 36 minutes.

Neither player has been able to stay on the floor for especially long, however, which is why both will need to make the most of their minutes.

Noah’s free throw shooting and surprising defensive inconsistency has limited him to 21.2 minutes per game. Jefferson’s erratic defense has limited him to 15.3 minutes per game—his lowest mark since his rookie season in 2004-05.

Nevertheless, both big men project to make their mark on this game—whether positively or negatively.

Dec 14, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers forward C.J. Miles (0) drives the ball around Miami Heat guard Josh Richardson (0) during the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

4. Justin Holiday vs. C.J. Miles

The New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers have a pair of dynamic reserves who can change the game. New York has been able to rely upon Justin Holiday for 3-and-D contributions, while Indiana’s C.J. Miles is a borderline elite 3-point shooter.

Given the fact that they’re likely to be matched up against one another, it will be vital for Holiday to win his battle with Miles.

Miles enters this outing with averages of 11.3 points and 2.1 3-point field goals made on 42.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc. He’s doing so in just 22.3 minutes per game, which means his numbers translate to 18.3 points and 3.4 3-point field goals per 36 minutes.

Based on the numbers alone, it’s quite clear that Miles is the type of player who can expose a Knicks defense that’s struggled to defend the 3-point line.

Fortunately, Holiday has been one of the Knicks’ most reliable players during the 2016-17 NBA regular season. His numbers may not jump off the page, but he works on the defensive end, crashes the boards, spaces the floor, and facilitates.

Holiday has begun to earn his stripes in a Knicks uniform in 2016-17, but this showing against Miles and the Pacers could be his most important performance.

Dec 19, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 107-105. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

3. Derrick Rose vs. Jeff Teague

The New York Knicks have learned just how valuable Derrick Rose is over the past two weeks. He’s missed four full games, the fourth quarter of the 114-103 win over the Miami Heat, and all but 10 minutes of the 113-111 overtime loss to the Phoenix Suns due to back injuries.

The issue may or may not be severe enough to threaten Rose’s season, but even four missed games out of 27 has cost the Knicks dearly.

Against the Indiana Pacers, Rose will need to make an instantly productive and rewarding return to the rotation. Pacers point guard Jeff Teague has been one of the most solid players in the Eastern Conference since he was drafted in 2009, and he’s beginning to find his form in Indiana.

Rose has been fun to watch and invaluable to team success when he’s played, but there’s still rational cause for concern against the rival Pacers.

Teague is currently averaging 15.3 points, 7.1 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals, and 0.9 3-point field goals made per game. He’s struggling to convert from beyond the arc in 2016-17, but is a career 35.1 percent shooter from distance.

If Rose fails to defend, penetrate, and create at respectable levels, Teague could have a big game at Madison Square Garden.

Keep in mind: Teague has at least 20 points and 10 assists in two of his past three games.

Nov 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots the ball while Brooklyn Nets guard Sean Kilpatrick (6) defends in the first half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

2. Kristaps Porzingis vs. Myles Turner

The New York Knicks have a young phenom in power forward Kristaps Porzingis. Though he may not receive as much attention, the Indiana Pacers have a rising star of their own in center Myles Turner.

Porzingis has played at a higher level than Turner thus far, but he’ll need to prove himself all over again when the Knicks host the Pacers on Tuesday.

Porzingis and Turner are likely to be matched up against one another due to their similar skill sets. Both are exceptional shot-blockers and explosive athletes for their respective heights, and both have massive wingspans and range beyond the 3-point line.

Easily the most intriguing aspect of this matchup is that Porzingis will be tasked with defending a player who can do similar things to what he can.

Turner already has seven 20-point games in 2016-17, including the 30 points and 16 rebounds he posted in Indiana’s opener. Porzingis should win this matchup, but no assumptions can be made when two players of this caliber go toe-to-toe.

The meeting with Karl-Anthony Towns may have garnered more headlines, but Porzingis and Turner could become the future faces of the Knicks-Pacers rivalry—and the Eastern Conference.

Dec 19, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) moves to the basket against Washington Wizards forward Otto Porter (22) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Washington 107-105. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

1. Carmelo Anthony vs. Paul George

There are few players in the NBA better than Carmelo Anthony or Paul George. As the franchise players for the rival New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers, both men understand the importance of winning this game.

In other words: when the All-NBA small forwards meet, the only thing that fans will rationally expect is for fireworks to fill Madison Square Garden.

George is an elite defensive player and one of the most dynamic scoring threats in the NBA. He can space the floor, is an explosive athlete, and has the craftiness to make plays from both the post and the top of the key.

That combination of skill and athleticism has George averaging 22.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2.5 3-point field goals made per game on a slash line of .451/.391/.914.

Anthony is under pressure to win this matchup—and game—for more reasons than beating a detested rival. It was just 13 days ago that Anthony was outscored 25 to nine by LeBron James at Madison Square Garden.

Simply put: the Knicks’ players, coaches, and fans are going to need Anthony to come out and play a significantly better game against this rival.

If Carmelo Anthony plays up to his full capabilities, then the New York Knicks should be able to secure a big home win.