Domineering, Pacers coach s speech after winning the Eastern Conference Finals perfectly interprets the characteristics of Indiana

Domineering, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle's speech after winning the Eastern Conference Finals perfectly interprets the characteristics of Indiana State

How will head coach Rick Carlisle's speech arouse the enthusiasm of fans after the Pacers defeated the Knicks to advance to the NBA Finals? Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle summed up what it means to enter the NBA Finals for a state that loves basketball more than most states. The Pacers beat the Knicks 125-108 in Game 6 and eliminated the New York Knicks at the Gainbridge Arena, as Carlisle told the celebrating fans at the post-match media meeting.

It has been 25 years since they last entered the NBA Finals. For a state with deep basketball roots, Pacers head coach Carlisle sent a short and sweet message to fans after winning the Eastern Conference Finals, according to The Athletic's James Boyd.

"In 49 states, basketball is just basketball, but here is Indiana," Carlisle said as the Pacers were about to play against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Pascal Siakam scored 31 points and led seven Pacers to score in double digits. Siakam won the Eastern Conference Finals MVP and contributed 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks. Tyres Halliburton scored 21 points, 13 assists and 3 steals in the whole game, while Obi Topin contributed 18 points and 3 blocks to lead the bench.

Indiana led the Knicks 34-23 in the third quarter and maintained a double-digit lead throughout the final quarter. Fans are thrilling after the Pacers won the Eastern Conference Finals Championship

For some fans, watching Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle and his team beat the Knicks to advance to the NBA Finals, it feels like they are back in the past. The last time they won the Eastern Conference Finals was in 2000, with the opponent being the Knicks. The Pacers remind everyone that fans of a specific age can recall the last time they watched the team participate in the NBA Finals on their X account (formerly Twitter).

"We will definitely win this time," one user replied. Another user wrote next to the prayer emoji: "We just hope the finals will be different."