Pacers not taking Thibs’ crew lightly after blowout win

INDIANAPOLIS — In a war of attrition, Indiana won the Mother’s Day Massacre.

The Pacers rolled to a 121-89 laugher in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semis. But just because they made light work of the Knicks doesn’t mean they’re going to take the Knicks lightly.

“It’s obviously great to take care of home court. Enjoy it now,” said T.J. McConnell, who had 15 points and 10 assists. “But as soon as we leave this building we’ve got to flush it and move on and show maturity on that end, because what we’re walking into at MSG is going to be a hellacious crowd who they play really well in front of because it’s a great fan base. So we have to really be ready and locked in.”

Indiana had the sellout crowd of 17,274 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse electrified with its high-energy play. But the Pacers are acutely aware Tuesday’s Game 5 at the Garden will be a different animal. They know they haven’t taken a leg up in this series; just stayed in it, deadlocked at 2-all.

“I look at it as more of a new beginning after each game. I get it because every game of the 10 we’ve played in the playoffs has been markedly different in some way, shape or form,” coach Rick Carlisle said. “So I know momentum exists. I’m not going to say it doesn’t. But I’m not going to get into the weeds on that kind of analysis when you’re dealing with a team like the Knicks.”

Teams that fell behind 0-2 have come back to win just 7 percent of playoff series, and 6 percent in the conference semifinals. But the Knicks’ injuries made Indiana’s odds feel a little better.

Sunday’s beating made them seem a lot better.

“We were confident after Game 1. Even after Game 1, we all collectively in the locker room said we can beat these guys,” Aaron Nesmith said. “We just got to go out there and do it. So it’s a three-game series now.

We’ve got to continue to have that competitive edge and play with that pace and fire that passion for 48 minutes for these next games.”

Indiana finally showed that fire and passion, and it led to a rout.

This was uglier than a “Game of Thrones” wedding, the Pacers leading by as much as 43. And Indiana — allergic to defense all season — held the Knicks to 33.7 percent shooting, and just 7 of 37 from behind the arc.

Tyrese Haliburton led a balanced attack with 20 points, six boards, five assists and a plus-31.

“Last two games we did our job. We did what we needed to do: We protected home court,” Carlisle said. “I’m not gonna get into a dissertation about how great we are or anything. We’re not; we’re a team that’s only halfway to our goal. And we’ve got to understand that and have a great level of humility for what’s coming on Tuesday night and be braced for it.”