At first, the boxscore didn’t look right. Tyrese Haliburton’s numbers were so dramatically different from what they were two nights prior. 

He entered halftime without a made field goal and only four points off free throws. He didn’t make his first shot until there was 9:40 left in the third quarter.

He finished with just eight points on 2-for-7 shooting from the field along with six assists and two rebounds in the Knicks’ 111-94 victory in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night. 

The Knicks’ defensive effort against Haliburton was night-and-day compared to Game 4, when he erupted for a triple double. 

Mikal Bridges, who primarily guarded Haliburton again, noticeably picked him up much further up the court, similar to how Pacers defenders have pressured Jalen Brunson.

It prevented Haliburton from getting a running start to set up the Pacers offense and got him out of rhythm. 

Bridges also did a much better job navigating the countless screens the Pacers set to try to get Haliburton favorable matchups. 

“Mikal did a great job,” Josh Hart said. “We’re asking a lot from ’Kal. He’s picking him up, running around with him. Tyrese is someone who never really stops moving. He’ll bring the ball down, he’ll hit, he’ll run off of it, he’ll get the [ball] back, he’ll throw it back to the big, he’ll run back. ’Kal did a great job today trying to be physical, trying to be on his body and not give him anything easy.” 

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Delon Wright and Landry Shamet contributed valuable minutes again, particularly in the second quarter.

They aggressively pressured Pacers ball handlers, and their relentless energy was contagious and set a tone for the rest of the defense. 

When Shamet forced T.J. McConnell out of bounds for a turnover in the fourth quarter, the Madison Square Garden crowd loudly chanted his name.

When he went to the bench earlier in the game, he received booming applause. 

“In basketball, anyone who’s played knows when you see somebody competing that way, it is infectious and it doesn’t matter who it is or when it happens,” Shamet said. “It’s infectious and we need more of it.” 

The Knicks also completely neutralized Aaron Nesmith, who finished with three points on 1-for-8 shooting from the field.

Pascal Siakam, who had been brilliant most of the series, was quiet with 15 points on 5-for-13 shooting from the field. 

In total, Pacers starters were 12-for-38 from the field, good for a brutal 31.6 percent. 

Mitchell Robinson, after a rough Game 4, was a big part of it.

He flew around on the defensive end and finished with two blocks and a steal. 

Even Karl-Anthony Towns, on a balky knee, showed an improved defensive effort. 

“They’re a very potent offensive team,” coach Tom Thibodeau said. “Everyone has to be tied together and on the same page.” 

If the Knicks are to continue their comeback in the series and force Game 7, this is the blueprint.