NEW YORK - Throughout the playoffs, the Knicks have been working hard to start the game tone.

That was the case in the early stages of their three 20-point comeback victory, with New York lagging behind the hole. That's usually the case in this Eastern Conference Finals final showdown with the Indiana Pacers, who led Madison Square Garden 3-1 for Game 5 on Thursday.

But as the Knicks faced the elimination, they finally got the start they wanted. Led by all-NBA guard Jalen Brunson, who scored 14 first-quarter points in the game and scored 14 first-quarter points, New York held a 111-94 wire victory in Indianapolis on Saturday night, beating rivals 111-94.

Brunson dominated from high jump, scoring a high of 32 points on the way six of his first seven shots during the opening game. But it was his willingness to work harder on defense and slow down the competition for Tyrese Haliburton, which stands out to many of his teammates.

Haliburton played in Game 4, becoming the first player in NBA playoff history to score 30 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and zero turnovers. Afterwards, Brunson was targeted by the Indiana All Series, and he admitted he needed to be more influential in the Knicks’ defense.

On Thursday, he was. Halliburton found a small gap in the Knicks defense, scoring only eight points and six assists. And, the Pacers aren't out of place without their offensive motors finding his typical rhythm.

"We don't need him to be a lockdown defender or something like that," said Knicks forward Josh Hart. "We just need him to go out and play physically, intensity, not fouls. It's really just a competitive thing, a self-thing, 'Okay, I'm going to protect my yard.' I think he did that (tonight).

Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau said stopping Halliburton was a collective effort.

"I think our guys are tied together in the work that makes (Halliburton) for everything," Thibodor said. "That's what you're going to do."

The second victory in the New York Series is no coincidence, with the defense going beyond the pace of the Pacers.

The Knicks have never been real danger, but they have to show a brief obstacle they can overcome.

Center Karl-Anthony Towns had foul trouble in the second half, but he suffered a left knee injury at the end of Game 4 but scored 24 points and 13 rebounds. Thibodeau inserts Mitchell Robinson Center to replace him.

But Pacers coach Rick Carlisle needs to give his team some momentum, ordering his players to intentionally foul Robinson and send him to the free throw line, a 52.2% shooter in his career. During that time, the Pacers pruned the 20-point deficit to 10 in the third phase.

However, Brunson and his teammates responded quickly with a 12-0 record to score a top 22 points. The Knicks scored a normal result in a playoff victory once.

For Brunson and many of his teammates, it was due to their good start.

"I'm honestly happy with the way we react," Brunson said. "We came out and were full of energy in the way we played. I'm very proud of my work and we have to try to copy it in the first quarter of the next game."