INDIANAPOLIS — If they absolutely had to, the Pacers believe they could win a Game 7 at the Garden. But it’s like getting in a car driven by Lindsay Lohan. If you can avoid it, by all means do.
The way to avoid that winner-take-all, pack-your-bags-for-Miami showdown would be winning Game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals Saturday night to eliminate the Knicks. But Indiana, up 3-2, might have to face that task without point guard George Hill, who has been out with a concussion.
“Our guys are very confident,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said. “They know what they have to do to beat the Knicks. They believe very, very strongly that they can do it even without George Hill. They’re going to come in with great confidence.”
Confidence would be a lot higher with Hill in the mix, but a determination will not be made until today. Hill, who sustained the concussion from a Tyson Chandler elbow in Game 4, missed the Knicks’ 85-75 Game 5 win at the Garden on Thursday.
Hill was scheduled to be reevaluated late yesterday. According to the NBA’s concussion policy, no clearance to play can be sanctioned until the player passes several extensive testing steps and protocols. The league policy stresses every case is different and there is no firm timetable for a return.
“Each injury and player is different and recovery time can vary in each case,” the policy stipulates.
A player must clear several increasingly strenuous physical activities — stationary bike, jogging, drills, etc. — before clearance is given.
The Pacers basically remained mum on the matter, except to note Hill retained “day-to-day” status.
“Still no updates,” Vogel said after a light practice stressing free throw shooting.
Without Hill, the Pacers again would turn to backup D.J. Augustin and employ Paul George in some spots. George, however, has enough on his plate. Guard Carmelo Anthony. Score. Rebound. And, oh yeah, run the offense. George is willing to do anything to finish off the Knicks in Indianapolis rather than face a Game 7.
“Here is where we really want to end it,” George said. “If we don’t, it could really be up for grabs going there. Our only thought process is taking care of our business at home.”
And home is where the Pacers beat the Knicks in Games 3 and 4, though the Game 4 victory had a hefty cost. Was it a clean screen by Chandler on Hill?
“No comment,” Vogel said, noting tonight’s opportunity is “very exciting, especially when we’re as confident as we are. We feel like we have a plan to beat the New York Knicks. We just have to execute it.”
So the Pacers would love to end it tonight. But they will miss what Hill brings.
“George is a great leader, a great player,” Augustin said. “Him not playing, you’re missing multiple points and a guy that can set up other people.”
“[Hill] is just real poised,” George said. “He’s a veteran at that point guard position and he’s the real extension of Coach.”
The Pacers have reason for confidence. In their most horrific nightmares, they could not have played worse than they did in Game 5. And still, they were within four points with 6:30 left.
“We were kind of playing like the pressure was on us,” Augustin said.
“We’ve got to feel great about playing in front of our home crowd,” George said. “We know it’s not going to be easy. It’s not going to be given to us, but we’ve got to feel good to play here.”