Two teams eager to bounce back from disappointing losses will meet when the Indiana Pacers host the New York Knicks on Tuesday in Indianapolis.
Both teams have had two days to regroup since their losses on Saturday. New York was defeated 131-104 at home by the Boston Celtics, while Indiana trailed early and never recovered in a 124-117 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Knicks viewed their matchup against Boston as a chance to measure up against an Eastern Conference powerhouse, but the Celtics dominated in every aspect, shooting 54.1 percent from the field and 48.7 percent from three-point range.
Jalen Brunson scored 36 points to lead the Knicks against Boston, but Karl-Anthony Towns was held to a season-low nine points on 3-for-8 shooting from the field.
New York played without forward OG Anunoby, who is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a sprained right foot.
Saturday’s loss was just the second in the last nine games for the Knicks, who boast the fifth-best record in the NBA but have struggled against the league’s elite teams.
The Knicks have split their first two meetings this season against Indiana, which has gone 19-7 since December 13 to move into fourth place in the East.
The Pacers have been plagued by slow starts recently, and that trend continued against the Lakers on Saturday. Pascal Siakam finished with 23 points for Indiana, which trailed 44-22 at the end of the first quarter.
Indiana returns home following a 2-2 road trip and will be looking for a strong start after trailing at the end of the first quarter in all four games.
Tyrese Haliburton was scoreless in the opening quarter against the Lakers, and Indiana shot just 30.4 percent from the field for the period.
The Pacers are monitoring the status of center Myles Turner, who missed Saturday’s game with a cervical strain and is listed as day-to-day.
