Five takeaways from Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals

Game 1 was even more impressive. After Jalen Brunson made a three-pointer with 2:51 to play, the Pacers were down by 14 points. After Karl-Anthony Towns hit a layup with 41 seconds to go, Indiana was still down by eight. Yet if Tyrese Haliburton's toe had been a centimeter further back on his game-tying shot, the Knicks would have lost in regulation.

Brunson may be the Clutch Player of the Year, but the Pacers are the Clutch Team of the Playoffs.

2. Aaron Nesmith has ice water in his veins

Haliburton hit the biggest shot, but Aaron Nesmith hit the most shots during the Pacers' frantic comeback. Four of his eight three-pointers came in the final 2:04 of the fourth quarter, and he sank two free throws with 12.1 seconds to go.

Nesmith made 43.1 percent of his threes this season, and he was 8-of-9 in Game 1, accounting for over half of Indiana's triples. He also had two blocks and a huge steal in OT, proving he's the ultimate 3-and-D player.

3. Knicks showed they can thrive without Jalen Brunson

Don't get us wrong — Jalen Brunson and his 43 points (on 15-of-25 shooting) were huge in Game 1. But when he had to sit out for a long stretch of the fourth quarter after picking up his fifth foul, the Knicks thrived, going on a 17-2 run after he sat. Karl-Anthony Towns scored eight points in the run while he and the Knicks blocked three shots.

Brunson came back and scored six points down the stretch, but he committed three crucial turnovers in the final minute of regulation and OT. His foul trouble also opened up driving lanes for the Pacers. Perhaps head coach Tom Thibodeau can spot Brunson's minutes and keep him fresher after his teammates showed they could stay afloat with him resting.

4. Karl-Anthony Towns stepped up big

For a player who has been criticized for his playoff performances in the past, Towns has been excellent for the Knicks this spring. He scored 35 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while shooting 4-of-8 from distance.

Arguably, the Knicks should have gone to Towns more often down the stretch, but he delivered all the team could have hoped for in Game 1. The Knicks have to feel great about their summer trade for Towns, though they may regret another big man trade: Sending Obi Toppin to the Pacers two years ago, after he had eight points, 10 rebounds and a huge OT dunk.

5. Rick Carlisle is a challenge genius

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle endured nearly four quarters of close calls and his own players urging him to use his replay challenges. He kept them in his back pocket and was rewarded late in the game.

With 20 seconds to play, Carlisle successfully challenged a foul call on Pascal Siakam, which got the Pacers the ball back with 29.2 seconds to go, leading to another Nesmith three. Then, in overtime, Andrew Nembhard tipped a pass off of Jalen Brunson's fingertips, and Carlisle used another challenge to get the Pacers the ball with 20 seconds to play and a one-point lead.

The lesson? Save your challenges for late in games. And always trust Carlisle's eye on a close call.