Playoffs 2000:Jackson, Bird hope Ewing plays

Jackson, Bird hope Ewing plays
Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS -- Let the debates end right now. Mark Jackson and Larry Bird don't want to hear any more about the Knicks being better off without Patrick Ewing.

Acute tendinitis in his right foot kept Ewing from playing the last two games in the Eastern Conference finals. The Knicks overcame his absence to win both times, tying the best-of-seven series 2-2.

That has renewed debate whether the Knicks are a better team with or without Ewing.

Jackson, a former teammate and friend of the veteran center, said there is no question.

"When you have one of the greatest centers to ever play the game, one of the biggest hearts to play the game, a warrior, a great competitor, I think it is to our benefit not to have him on the floor," Jackson said. "The numbers say they're 5-1 against us without him (in the playoffs), but I'll take my chances."

Some say the Knicks can run better without Ewing slowing them down.

"The things they do, they can do those things with Patrick in the lineup. They choose not to and defer to him," said Jackson, adding that he hoped Ewing can return to the series.

Ewing's availability tonight will be a game-time decision.

"It really shouldn't matter who is out on the court. You pretty much play the same type of tempo," said Reggie Miller, who had 24 points in Monday's loss. "We know Patrick is coming back at some point in this series ... We just have to prepare for that.

"It's a different look when he's in there, without Marcus Camby being in, there a lot of times it is open for drives. But when Patrick Ewing comes in, he's a great shot blocker. They go to him a little more on the offensive end, so we have to be prepared for that."

New York coach Jeff Van Gundy would barely discuss Ewing's value to his team Tuesday.

"I've done that enough," he said. "I'll let the foolish remain foolish and not even try to educate them."

Added Miller: "Not knowing if Pat is going to be playing or not, we still have to establish the inside presence."

Bird grew close with Ewing during Bird's playing days in Boston.

"Patrick is a friend of mine. I want to see him have an opportunity to do well," said Indiana's coach. "We want to beat them. I feel sorry for Patrick. He's struggled with injuries. If you're going to get to the championship and win it, you want to beat the best along the way."

The teams find themselves in the identical situation as in last year's conference finals: all even after four games with home-court advantage working in each game.

New York won Game 5 here last year 101-94 and then closed out the best-of-seven series in Madison Square Garden.

"You really can't go too much on statistics, but the team that wins Game 5 is pretty much in the catbird seat," Miller said. "It is a big game for both teams."

The home team has won all eight games this season, a trend the Pacers hope to maintain tonight at Conseco Fieldhouse. Indiana recorded a league-best 36-5 home mark during the regular season. In the playoffs, Indiana is 7-2 at home.

"We took care of business at home. They matched us," Jackson said. "There's no need to panic."

This is Indiana's third consecutive trip to the conference finals and its fifth in seven years. New York ousted the Pacers in seven games in 1994 and Orlando eliminated the Pacers in seven games the following year. Chicago beat Indiana in seven games in 1998.

"Just because we lose two games, that doesn't mean we're not determined," said Jalen Rose, whose 21.3 scoring average in the series leads Indiana. "We know what it takes to get here. We just don't know what it's like to get over this hump and that's what we're trying to accomplish."

Rose also believes the home court gives Indiana an edge.

"I feel like we're the best team in the NBA on our home floor, and I'm planning on us holding serve. I don't think there will be a letdown by us or our fans," he said.

Jackson found comfort in his team outscoring New York 49-34 in the second half of Monday's 91-89 loss after trailing by 17 points at halftime.

"We did a good job in the second half. It just boiled down to playing with effort and being a step quicker," he said. "There's no reason to be concerned. It's a great series. We knew that it would be a war coming in. Now we get to the good part, we just have to take care of business in our building."

Miller anticipated being more aggressive tonight and when the series returns to New York for Game 6 on Friday.

"I looked for my shot a lot in Game 4," said Miller, who was 9-of-23 from the field, with five 3-pointers in 13 attempts. "I pretty much look to do the same thing offensively. ... It's best-of-three right now, and the pressure is back on us tonight to shift the pressure back on them."