Indianapolis - Analyzing last year's Eastern Conference semifinals between the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks has little value, at least not within the framework of their upcoming matches in this year's Eastern Conference Finals.

The Knicks support their roster with some big additions as part of the blockbuster three-team deal, traded with Carl Anthony Town and added Mikal Bridges in the offseason. They will also have 7-0 center Mitchell Robinson, who appeared in just one game in last year's series, averaging 5.1 points and 5.9 rebounds in the regular season.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Saturday it was a different team with different dynamics. “There are a lot of new elements.”

But there is a constant. This is the rebound.

The winner of each race in last year’s Best Marathon also won the rebounding battle.

This year's Knicks are equally active in the glass. They averaged 43 rebounds (12 offenses) in the playoffs and ranked second in the chance point of 17.3 seconds per game (first among active teams).

By comparison, the Pacers allowed 16.2 second chances per game in the playoffs and gave up 13.8 points per game in the regular season.

Carlisle said it was a difficult question, how his rebound praised New York's "toughness". "They have a real system," he continued. "[and]their level of efficiency is unprecedented when they get a second chance point. It will be a huge key to the series."

The Knicks have four players averaging at least five rebounds per game in the playoffs, which is the titles of Town (11.3), Josh Hart (8.5) and Robinson (6.8). Myles Turner said the players were “heavy on the board,” highlighting their value in generating additional property (New York ranked second in the 1,158th game this playoff). "You can't exaggerate the importance of rebounding."

"It's a hard nose team," Turner later added. "They decided the pace of the game and were going to play a half-court style. They had Hart and everyone who was doing dirty work. … We cut the job for us."

The first game in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Pacers and the Knicks is scheduled for Wednesday at 8 p.m.

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