Pacers 92, Knicks 87
NEW YORK -- Paul George hit the tiebreaking basket with 23.6 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter as the Indiana Pacers squandered an 18-point lead before pulling out a 92-87 victory over the New York Knicks Sunday night.
The Pacers shot 4 of 16 in the fourth and their biggest hoop came in the final minute. After getting an inbounds pass from Monta Ellis, George gained enough separation from his defender and knocked down a 19-foot left-wing jumper in front of the New York bench.
New York missed a chance to take an 88-87 lead when Sasha Vujacic missed a 3-pointer. Ellis hit two free throws with 17.2 seconds left.
The second free throw nearly turned out to be the decisive point for the Pacers as Arron Afflalo hit a 3-pointer with 14.7 seconds. Following a review, his foot was ruled to be out of bounds when he caught it and the shot was overturned.
George Hill, however dropped the inbounds pass and the Knicks regained possession but Affalo missed a 3-pointer with 9.9 seconds remaining. Hill made one of two free throws with 9.4 seconds remaining and the game finally ended when Afflalo missed a 3-pointer with 1.9 seconds to play.
George led the Pacers with 20 points but most of those came during the third when Indiana held a 68-50 lead. He injured his left ankle at some point in the third and the Pacers said he was questionable after he sat with 3:46 left in the third.
George eventually returned with 6:22 left in the fourth but the Pacers still struggled. They never lost the lead, only allowing the Knicks to tie the game twice in the final 2:31 before George's final shot.
Besides George, the Pacers placed five others in double figures. Rodney Stuckey added 17 points and rookie Myles Turner had 12.
The Knicks played without Carmelo Anthony (rest) and Kristaps Porzingis (shoulder). Vujacic led New York with 21 points while Affalo added 13 of his 15 in the fourth.
NOTES: New York F Kristaps Porzingis (sore right shoulder) missed his third straight game and said he hopes to return before the season ends April 13, although interim coach Kurt Rambis said the rookie has not begun shooting yet. ... The Knicks rested F Carmelo Anthony and Rambis said it was a one-time occurrence. ... Indiana coach Frank Vogel said F Paul George has not expressed any desire to rest. Vogel also said there are no plans to rest George, who returned from his serious knee injury on April 5, 2015. ... New York G Jose Calderon (right quad contusion) missed his second straight game and Rambis did not have any update on his status. ... Rambis also said he does not anticipate F Lance Thomas (sprained left MCL) returning this season. Thomas has not played since March 5 against Detroit.