Pacers look to rekindle tough, physical style that seems so frustrating for Knicks and others

Indiana Pacers' Roy Hibbert, second from left, blocks New York Knicks' J.R. Smith from going to the basket in the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball playoff series in the Eastern Conference semifinals at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The Knicks won 105-79. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (The Associated Press)

Referee Joe Crawford, right, explains a call to Indiana Pacers head coach Frank Vogel in the first half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball playoff series in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden in New York, Tuesday, May 7, 2013. The Knicks won 105-79. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (The Associated Press)

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana is trying to revive its season-long secret to success. Play hard, play tough and play rough.

The philosophy has been a lesson in frustration for opponents. Indiana's rough-and-tumble play got Atlanta out of sync and out of sorts, leading to a six-game, first-round exit. It got to the Knicks in Game 1 of this second-round series, too.

New York managed to rebound in Game 2, reverting to its more traditional style and turning up the pressure on the Pacers.

As the series moves to Indy for Saturday's Game 3, the Pacers are looking to bring back that old-school approach that brought them their first Central Division title in nine years and their second straight appearance in the Eastern Conference semifinals.