'We Played Harder' - Carlisle Commends Pacers For Pushing Knicks To Game 7

Rick Carlisle praised the Indiana Pacers after they forced their playoff series with the New York Knicks to Game 7. Carlisle had directly challenged his players following their loss in Game 5, which put them 3-2 down in the series. The Pacers responded with a strong performance in a 116-103 victory, setting up a decisive Game 7 on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

"It was just activity. We played harder tonight, which was a must," Carlisle said. "We moved the ball better and we got more rebounds, and that's obviously a big key to the series. We gotta brace for Sunday. And we must be ready."

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Tyrese Haliburton contributed 15 points and nine assists for the Pacers. "Coaches challenged our effort, I think that was the biggest thing," Haliburton said. "We had some boneheaded things happen [in Game 5]. He [Carlisle] just really challenged our group [players] 1-15 on how can we be better."

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 31 points but acknowledged he needed to improve his performance. "They try to make things difficult," Brunson said. "And I have to adjust as well. Show me different looks and I have to do a better job of reading it."