Knicks lock down Pacers in win
NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks turned in one of their more sparkling defensive efforts of the season, turning back the Indiana Pacers 87-81 on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden.
New York (27-41) held the Pacers (34-33) to just 36.8 percent (23 of 87) from the floor. Indiana converted only nine of its 41 second-half shots as the Knicks stormed back from a 13-point deficit in the third quarter.
Carmelo Anthony led the Knicks with 22 points and 13 rebounds. He scored 12 points in the fourth quarter. Derrick Rose added 16 points.
Paul George topped Indiana with 22 points and 10 rebounds.
Knicks center Willy Hernangomez recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 13 points and 14 rebounds coming off the bench.
New York forced 16 turnovers. Pacers guard Jeff Teague committed six of them.
A jumper and a 3-pointer from Anthony pushed the Knicks lead to 79-72 with 3:04 to play.
New York took its first lead of the night, 68-65, since midway through the first quarter when Anthony drained a 3-pointer with 9:43 to play.
The Knicks drew with 64-62 after the third, holding Indiana to just 12 points in the quarter, tied for the lowest amount New York has allowed this season.
A 3-pointer from Miles, with an assist from George, with 34 seconds left in the half gave Indiana its biggest lead to that point, 52-40. George scored seven points in the second quarter.
The Knicks shot just 37 percent in the first half. Kristaps Porzingis, who has moved to center in the absence of the injured Joakim Noah, made just four of his 13 shots. Anthony, who was shadowed by George, was able to take just seven shots, making only one.
The Pacers dominated the boards in the first quarter, out-rebounding the Knicks 20-11, for a 24-18 lead.
NOTES: A moment of silence was held prior to tip-off for John Andariese, a Knicks radio and TV analyst for over 34 years, who died on Monday. ... Since the All-Star break, the Pacers have held eight of their 10 opponents to 100 or fewer points. ... Indiana has limited its opponents to 100.4 points per game (seventh in the NBA) on 43.6 percent shooting (4th) and 31.7 percent from three-point range (third) since the break. ... Pacers F Thaddeus Young is 20th in the NBA in field goal percentage, including a career-best 39.6 percent from beyond the arc. ... Pacers C Myles Turner has blocked at least four shots in 13 games and is third in the league in that category. He blocked three shots on Tuesday. ... Knicks C Kristaps Porzingis left the game in the second quarter with a contused left thigh.