Knicks ‘100 percent’ learned Game 1 lessons — and didn’t choke this time

Time and score, it was the same exact scenario.

The Knicks up 14 points. Just under three minutes remaining.

Eight days prior, they famously blew it. They allowed Aaron Nesmith to roam free on the 3-point line and they watched helplessly as Tyrese Haliburton’s shot bounced parallel to the top of the shot clock before falling into the hoop. They became the first franchise to ever blow a playoff lead of 14 points with under three minutes left.

On Thursday, however, the Knicks provided no such life to the Pacers. They crashed for an offensive rebound with 2:52 remaining and Karl-Anthony Towns came up with the loose ball, converting an and-1 layup that essentially buried the Pacers in Game 5’s 111-94 victory at MSG.