Playoffs 2000:Knicks-Pacers should be a war

Knicks-Pacers should be a war
By David Aldridge
Special to ESPN.com

As we did for the Blazers and Lakers, here's the breakdown on the the Eastern Finals matchups, quickly, since one game has already been played:

Starting guards
The principals: Mark Jackson and Reggie Miller vs. Charlie Ward and Allan Houston

Miller has that look back in his eye this postseason. He's supremely confident in his abilities now not only to shoot, but to get to the cup off the dribble. All that stuff I believed about Jalen Rose ascending to be The Man in Indiana during the regular season was, well, stupid. Jackson worked Iverson over in the low post in the Sixers series. Ward has emerged as a big-time player, unafraid to shoot. Houston is gamely playing with a gimpy ankle but if he doesn't get his hops back, not only will he not be able to guard Miller, he won't be able to shoot over him, either.

EDGE: Pacers.

Starting forwards
The principals: Jalen Rose and Dale Davis vs. Latrell Sprewell and Larry Johnson


	Reggie Miller, left, congratulates Mark Jackson after the duo helped lead the Pacers to their third straight East finals.

Rose talked big early in the Philly series, then appeared to spit the bit. Still, his presence in Indiana's offense can't be underestimated. He makes double-teaming Miller next to impossible off of single-double action. More disciplined in practice, more sure in games. "The great thing about being Jalen Rose," he likes to say, "is that you have to prove yourself every day." Davis was stung by criticism that he played soft against the Knicks last spring and came out smoking in Game 1. Sprewell killed the Pacers in transition and Jeff Van Gundy has to take the blinders off and let him go again. Johnson must score against Rose on switches in the paint and make Davis come outside by hitting some threes. (Or, if Dick Bavetta is around, fours.)

EDGE: Pacers

Starting centers
The principals: Rik Smits vs. Patrick Ewing

Smits is good for just four or five minutes per half now, but he can still go for eight to 10 points a pop during that stretch. Ewing looked fresher than he has in years entering the postseason, but how much did seven games of Alonzo Mourning-induced pain take out of his sails? Ewing needs at least one monster game if the Knicks are going to advance. Pencil him in.

EDGE: Knicks.

The benches
The principals: Travis Best, Austin Croshere, Sam Perkins, Derrick McKey vs. Chris Childs, Marcus Camby, Kurt Thomas

Pacers' reserves have taken turns winning big games during the playoffs. Key guy is Croshere, obviously, if he can neutralize Camby. But Croshere is still playing on a gimpy ankle, though gutting through it. Best abused Allen Iverson in the Sixers series. Both Camby and LJ have to score in the paint to open things up on the perimeter, but only Camby has the legs and hops to give the Pacers fits.

EDGE: Pacers

The coaches
The principals: Larry Bird vs. Jeff Van Gundy Don't keep believing this stuff that Bird either can't coach or doesn't coach. He's always after his charges to be tougher, and if you don't think he's the one doling out minutes, Mark Jackson would like a word with you -- particularly in the fourth quarter, when Best is playing. I thought Van Gundy made a mistake by slugging it out with the Heat, but New York won the series, so who the hell cares what I think? I do believe, though, that Van Gundy has to take the blinders off and let his guys run. The Pacers looked stuck in mud against Milwaukee's quartet of breakdown players; Van Gundy has thoroughbreds just as good.

EDGE: Knicks.

Intangibles
The Pacers really wanted to play the Knicks. They've had a year to chew on their performance in last season's conference finals. And they know if they don't advance, their team will likely be dissolved. New York will get Indiana's A game. But the guys from Gotham are tough, tough people. They will not quit and they will not go quietly. In the end, I think toughness wins playoff series. And I think the Knicks are tougher. If the Pacers don't close them out quickly, it says here that the Knicks figure out a way to win this late. Maybe on the Pacers' floor.

The Pick: Knicks in seven.