If there’s someone to step into that general leadership role on the floor, then I would look to David West.  Tomorrow night, he needs to demand the ball, and work his way to the basket as much as possible.  Paul George is also on that list of guys who need to be aggressive.  I do think the Pacers had that look of wanting to push the matter of closing out last night, and maybe they pushed too much.  I’m not saying they were over confident, but more they pressed too much to try to get back into the game, and weren’t focused on doing the right things.  But playing at home in front of the home fans with another chance to close out should help settle this team.

I know tomorrow night won’t be an easy game, but this team should be able to do it.  D.J. Augustin had filled in a few times for Hill and performed solid.  He needs to be at the top of his game tomorrow night.  David West is a guy I would look to as someone who’ll step up and lead this team.  If Hill is able to play, that’s a huge boost to the team even if he’s not fully ready to go.  But having Hill out there is enough. Roy Hibbert needs to look to be in that scoring mode as he’s looked better than Tyson Chandler at times, and what better time than in game six.  It’s the perfect opportunity for the Pacers to close out the Knicks, and move on to that mountain of a team the Miami Heat.  I am not trying to look ahead, but if things play out right for the Pacers, no reason why they can’t figure out how to pull off the win tomorrow night.

May 14, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (24) takes a shot against New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during game four of the second round of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana won 93-82. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Now that I’ve successfully put this song in your head, we’re at the point where the Indiana Pacers HAVE to close out the New York Knicks this evening.  What better way to do it in New York City as well, where the old Pacer memories were made.  Tonight is a huge opportunity to show that the Pacers are ready for the next challenge of the Eastern Conference Finals.  Who’s waiting there, oh that Miami Heat team?  But let’s not get too far ahead, and wear all black like the New York Knicks did in the first round.  But this is the time for the Pacers to put on their blue collars and work the Knicks into the ground.

Paul George needs to step his game up a little more, and make some shots.  He had a bad evening of shooting, but still got to 18 points and pulled down 14 rebounds.  That’s where we are with George’s game, he can hurt teams in other ways. He’s rounding into that all around player that the Pacers haven’t really had.  He has a great shot at becoming that “superstar” player, and how great would that be for this city?

I’d look for Roy Hibbert to work the Knicks as well. He had a fantastic game two games ago, but didn’t seem to score as easily last game.  He needs to be in double figures and grab at least 10 rebounds to put all the pressure on the big men of the Knicks. I think the Pacers have shown how much of an advantage they have in that area, and now’s the time for that.

It’s closing time for the Pacers.  Time to finish the New York Knicks.  Time to shut up Stephen A. Smith, and all those blow hards that believed the Knicks were the better team. They’re not showing that now. Closing time for the Pacers and what better way to close out the series in the city that doesn’t sleep.