On the occasion of the Eastern Conference Finals, experts from all walks of life have also issued articles to analyze who has a higher chance of winning between the two teams.

Experts from USA Today believe that the Knicks and the Pacers fought seven bloody games last season, and the strength of the two teams was basically five to five.

But this offseason, the Knicks' main point guard Charlie Ward, power forward Beau Outlaw, and Finals MVP Stephen Jackson are all gone, and the recruited Steve Kerr, Gates Joseph and others have not even made the playoff squad, and the Knicks' strength has declined significantly.

Don't look at New York's ability to win the best 63 wins in team history in the regular season, in fact, it is the donkey dung and eggs that are shiny on the surface and have no real skills. Last year, they were able to sweep 76 people, but this year they were beaten 2:2, if it weren't for the injury, they might even be beaten down, which is proof!

In terms of the true strength of the team, the Pacers, who are second in the East, are stronger.

This season, the Pacers have largely retained the same team from last season, trading only the bench stalwart Antonio Davis.

Jonathan Bender isn't an instant player, but that's okay, the rest of the Pacers' young players have grown, and Jalen Rose is the most improved player of the year.

Don't tell me about Li Wei, in my eyes, Jalen Rose is the most improved player of the year, and the brush of a part-time head coach really shouldn't get this award!

Obviously, the expert who wrote this article in the United States Today is a Wei Hei, and he also looks down on the Knicks, and finally came to the conclusion that the Knicks have a 40% win rate, the Pacers have a 60% win rate, and the Pacers are expected to eliminate the Knicks 4:2!

Compared to USA Today, the New York media is bullish on the Knicks.

Of course, the local newspaper must support the local team, otherwise the fans will not buy it, and the sales will not be able to rise. What's more, the New York Knicks have a better regular season record, and there's no reason why they shouldn't support it!

The New York Post is more conservative, predicting that the Knicks will advance 4:3, while the New York Daily News predicts that the Knicks will win 4:2, and the New York Daily News predicts that the Knicks will sweep the Pacers 4:1......

On May 22, the Indiana Pacers came to New York.

On the morning of May 23, the Pacers were training for their field acclimatization at Madison Garden, and reporters from New York flocked to interview the team's players and coaches.

Pacers point guard Mark Jackson said: "As a New Yorker, although it may be disappointing for New York fans to say that, he still has to say that the Pacers will definitely eliminate the Knicks!" ”

Pacers small forward Jalen Rose said: "He's going to play his best in the series and show everyone who's going to be the most improved player!" ”

Reggie Miller said: "I'm so excited to think about beating the New Yorkers at MSG! ”

Pacers head coach Larry Bird said: "It was such a stroke of luck that the Knicks won last season, and the same thing will never happen this season, and the Pacers will definitely make it to the Finals!" ”

The Pacers had just left, and in the afternoon, the Knicks had come to practice.

"Last year the Knicks beat the Pacers, and this year is the same, we're stronger than we were last year," Garnett said. ”

"The New Yorkers won't let the Indians win at home," Houston said. ”

Li Wei said: "Since many people predict that we will be eliminated, then I will be conservative in my estimate, I think we can win 4:0. ”

“4：0？ You mean the sweeping pacers? The reporters asked in surprise.

Li Wei said: "Not sweeping is not enough to show my respect for Larry!" ”

"Hahaha!" Journalists laughed maniacally.

Li Wei shouted a 4:0 slogan, obviously saying big things. He's been talking to Bird and the Pacers players for so many years, and it would be abnormal if he didn't say a little nonsense.

In fact, he knew in his heart that this year's Pacers, although they were a year older, were still not to be underestimated. In the previous season, it was they who reached the finals, fought six bloody games with the Lakers, and finally lost 4:2. The fifth game was a bizarre score of 120:87.

That's right, the Pacers scored 120 points, the Lakers only had 87 points, and the 33-point slaughter can also rank in the top 10 in the history of the Finals, the first tragic is of course the 98 Finals, the Bulls slaughtered the Utah Jazz 96-54.

On the evening of May 23, the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals was officially staged at Madison Square Garden. The crowds of New York fans made it look like a show today.

The Pacers' starting five Tigers are the first to appear, they are playmaking guard Mark Jackson, shooting guard Reggie Miller, small forward Jalen Rose, power forward Dale Davis, and center Rick Schmitz!

Finally, head coach Larry Bird!

Then the lights went out, and the Knicks' starting five Tigers appeared to the cheers of the crowd!

Playmaking guard Steve Nash, shooting guard Alan Houston, small forward Tracy McGrady, power forward Kevin Garnett, center Da Yao!

Finally, head coach Li Wei!

Midfield jumps, Da Yao jumps to win Dale Davis.

Nash organized the offense, Houston and Maddie quickly went down to the left and right corners, respectively, Da Yao stood at 45 degrees on the left and Garnett stood at 45 degrees on the right.

It's the Knicks' favorite Series 7 tactic, and the team calls it a kite tactic. All five of them are pulled outside the three-point line, either you will defend them all, or you will leave an empty space for us to shoot!

Larry Bird will definitely not leave the open spot to the Knicks, so the whole team is out of it!

Seeing the Pacers' entire team mark and expand their defense, the Knicks began to implement the first change of today's kite play!

Da Yao moved down to a 30-degree angle to cover Houston, and Houston ran to a 45-degree angle with a cover!

As the super shooter who hits the most three-pointers this season, Houston's containment is undoubted, Reggie Miller is closely chasing the defense, and Rick Schmitz also deliberately delays forward, so that Miller can more calmly bypass the cover and lock the opponent!

But Schmitz delayed Houston, and Da Yao couldn't defend it tightly.

After the Knicks' big center blocked, he went straight down!

Da Yao is not a player known for his speed, but the old Schmitz is even slower!

Three years ago, Bird arrived in Indiana, and Rick Schmitz played well, making the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. But as he gets older, his level has been declining in the past two years, and his speed is becoming more and more unable to keep up!

Nash passes the ball in time!

Da Yao rushed to the basket and caught the ball and scored a violent dunk!

0:2, the Knicks at home lead!

Seeing that Da Yao scored 2 points at the beginning, Li Wei nodded. He believes that there are two points that are crucial in this series.

The first is Da Yao VS Schmitz.

Last year, the aging Schmitz actually took advantage of rookies Yao and Nesterovich, and it was his excellent play that helped the Pacers drag the game into a tie-break.

This season, Da Yao's defensive ability has gone further and is already a qualified interior meat shield, but Schmitz is one step older. Height, weight, speed, strength, and explosiveness are not as good as Da Yao, and the only thing you can rely on is experience!