Pacers and Knicks are going to go seven games (again) and Indy is going to win it in the Garden (again)

Styles make fights. The Knicks want a half-court slog. The Pacers want to run in transition. Stick around: This is going to be fascinating.

It’s got to go seven.

These two teams, the Knicks and Pacers, both at full strength this time around, are too good, too resilient for one team to seize easy control of this series. This is a delicious matchup, filled with all manner of strategic questions. It’s got to go seven because we need ample time to answer all the questions attendant with this Eastern Conference Final.

Like:

• Will we be able to stomach Stephen A. Smith’s Knicks’ super-fandom for two full weeks?

Now, understand, I’m not a Stephen A. hater. He’s an old newspaper scribe from Philly. He knows his stuff, especially when it comes to pro basketball. He’s also a compelling public communicator. Yeah, he’s a blowhard at times – a lot of times – but he’s in the entertainment business and, well, he’s generally quite entertaining.

But this whole I’m-a-Knicks-superfan thing is downright tiresome, regardless of whether his beloved Knicks are playing the Pacers or anybody else. When I tune into the ESPN pre- and post-game show, I want analysis. I want to know about matchups. I want to know about strategy. What I DON’T want is Stephen A. standing there with John Starks and waving pom-pons for his hometown team.

I know younger viewers and readers have no problem with journalists brandishing their childhood fandom, but as a dinosaur, I find it distasteful and unprofessional. Maybe if you’re a Knicks fan, you don’t mind the rah-rah stuff, but if your team is the Knicks’ opponent, it’s as if the opposing team doesn’t exist. I have always believed that when you get into our business, you throw away your fan card.

I’m just saying, Stephen A., normally an entertaining sort, is going to be a very hard watch these next few weeks.

• Rest versus rust: Will it make a difference?