The Indiana Pacers wrap up the opening set of games in New York for their second-round series with the Knicks tonight. Indiana fell in Game 1 in Madison Square Garden, but they’ll look to bounce back tonight just like they did in their first-round series.

The Knicks were excellent in the second half on the offensive end on Monday, so the Pacers will hope to improve on defense. That may require putting more attention on Jalen Brunson or being more focused on the glass. Either way, the blue and gold know what they need to do to win and get back on track in the series.

Viewing and Betting Information

Tip off time: 8 p.m. Eastern Time

Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York

Where to watch: NBA League Pass, TNT

Spread and Over/Under: The Pacers are underdogs as they are currently +4.5 in the SI Sportsbook. The over/under for the game is 222.5.

Pacers vs Knicks Injury Report

The Pacers listed Bennedict Mathurin (torn labrum) as out. Tyrese Haliburton (lower back spasms) is questionable once again, though head coach Rick Carlisle said he’s confident Haliburton will play.

The Knicks listed Julius Randle (right shoulder surgery), Bojan Bogdanovic (left foot surgery), and Mitchell Robinson (left ankle stress injury) as out. They are all three out for the entire Pacers-Knicks series.

Key Matchup

Andrew Nembhard vs Jalen Brunson: The Pacers, like most teams in the league, struggled to contain Brunson in Game 1. The star Knicks guard scored 43 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, while adding six rebounds and six assists. He was sensational.

Nembhard will try to slow him down, though it will really take a team effort from Indiana. They’ll need to throw multiple coverages at the talented ball handler and make him think, and they need to continue to attack him as a defender as well.

• Myles Turner finally reached the conference semifinals after a winding career with the Indiana Pacers. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers to face New York Knicks in 2024 Eastern Conference Semifinals — Schedule, TV listings, and more. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers discuss the officiating from the end of Game 1 loss to New York Knicks. CLICK HERE.
• Indiana Pacers drop Game 1 late vs New York Knicks and fall behind in series. CLICK HERE.
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Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) won a Republican primary to succeed Gov. Eric Holcomb in the Indiana governor’s mansion, breaking through a crowded six-way race that caused a record amount of spending and blanketed the state in ads.

The Associated Press called the race for Braun at 7 p.m. Eastern when all the polls closed statewide.

Braun’s close allegiance to former President Donald Trump helped fuel his Senate win in 2018 and gave him statewide name recognition in this contest. Trump gave Braun his endorsement in the gubernatorial race last November. 

The one-term senator and former businessman faced competition from a crowded field that included former state Commerce Secretary Brad Chambers, Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch, businessman Eric Doden, former state Attorney General Curtis Hill, and conservative activist Jamie Reitenour.

While there were limited polling numbers, Braun had consistently led his closest opponent by 20 to 30 percentage points. He will now face former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Jennifer McCormick, who is the only Democratic candidate. Indiana hasn’t elected a Democrat to any statewide office in 12 years.

The six Republicans spent about $40 million, a record amount of campaign spending in an Indiana primary. Braun spent $6 million in the first three months of the year. Crouch, Chambers, and Doden spent $14 million together. 

Braun spent more than a decade in elected office, serving in the local school board, as a state legislator and then a U.S. senator. However, he focused his campaign on the auto parts business he ran for 37 years, utilizing his private sector experience.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

On Capitol Hill, Braun made his name as a fiscal hawk and as a member of the unofficial “Breakfast Club,” a group of senators consistently a thorn in the side of Senate GOP leadership. The group continues to be outspoken about prioritizing cutting government spending and border security.

Braun will likely be replaced by Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) after Braun announced he would run for governor. The Indiana congressman will face either psychologist Valerie McCray or former state representative Marc Carmichael in the general election to replace Braun. The non-partisan Cook Political Report ranks the seat as Solid Republican.

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Indiana Primary election is underway and registered voters have until 6 p.m. to cast a ballot.

“It doesn’t matter if someone is a student whose just getting started and this is the first time they are voting or someone is a CEO of a corporation. Each of those votes are equal,” explained Kate Sweeney Bell, Marion County clerk.

So far, reports indicate less than 2% or 12,000 people voted early in Marion County. However, election officials said they are prepared to accommodate the more than 630,000 registered voters by securely collecting, inspecting, and processing the ballots at the Marion County Election Board Service Center at 3737 East Washington Street in Indianapolis.

Bell says casting your ballot will take very little time out of your day.

“They bring their government-issued ID, they get their ballot, they make their decisions, they cast their ballot and they are out the door. It should only take minutes, and there are so many options for voters now because they can vote at any location across the county,” she said.

Voters can find their polling location by logging onto the secretary of state’s website and entering their name, date of birth, and county of registration. The resulting portal shows both early voting and Election Day locations and hours.

The voting centers will close at 6 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters in line when the polls close will still be allowed to cast ballots.

“If they come across any problems, they should talk to the inspector of the precinct. If that is not an option, they can contact the Marion County Election Board at 317-327-5100 or send us an email at elections@indy.gov,” Bell said.