Pacers rally to shock Knicks in OT
0 Comment(s)
Print
E-mail Shanghai Daily, November 22, 2013
The Indiana Pacers came out ice cold against a revenge-minded New York Knicks team on Wednesday but showed their class and put the National Basketball Association on notice with a hot finish that produced another victory.
Indiana missed its first seven shots and fell 0-13 behind a Knicks team eliminated from last year's playoffs by the Pacers, and which had lost their last four home games in struggling to a 3-7 start this season.
The Pacers refused to fold and worked their way back to force overtime at Madison Square Garden and win going away, 103-96, behind a spectacular finish by forward Paul George.
Indiana, which last year battled champions Miami Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference finals, improved to a joint NBA-best 10-1 record as they bounced back from their first loss of the season on Saturday to the Chicago Bulls.
"Heck of a win for our guys," Pacers coach Frank Vogel told reporters.
"Grind it out kind of game. The offense wasn't really flowing, but our defense buckled down. I'm proud to get a ‘W'.
"Paul George was sensational, not only carrying the offensive load the way he did, but covering Carmelo Anthony for basically 48 minutes."
Anthony led the Knicks with 30 points and pulled down 18 rebounds but it was not good enough to hold off the Pacers.
New York came out on a mission, throwing itself into the contest to the delight of the home crowd demanding payback over last season's six-game loss to Indiana in the conference semifinals. But the Pacers showed their growing maturity by patiently whittling down the lead, and reeling the Knicks in by the end of the game.
George, who made 12-of-26 shots, poured in nine more points in overtime to finish with 35 points.
Elsewhere, it was: Mavericks 123, Rockets 120; Grizzlies 88, Warriors 81 (OT); Spurs 104, Celtics 93; Hawks 93, Pistons 85; Kings 113, Suns 106; Trail Blazers 91, Bucks 82; Clippers 102, Timberwolves 98; Pelicans 105, Jazz 98; Bobcats 95, Nets 91; Wizards 98, Cavaliers 91; Heat 120, Magic 92; and Raptors 108, 76ers 98.
Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)