For the first time since their season came to an abrupt end the Knicks would take the court at Bankers Life Fieldhouse to take on the arch rival, Indiana Pacers. In the two teams only other match up this season, Indiana would seal the deal in overtime after Paul George tied the game in regulation when he was fouled on a three point try by Iman Shumpert.
Carmelo Anthony had it going on early and often for New York, putting in work to the tune of 18 first quarter points including a buzzer beating three-ball. Anthony’s brilliance offensively still was barely enough to contend with the NBA’s top team only hold a 1 point advantage to start quarter number two almost as if Indiana was just measuring New York for the perfect counter punch and when they connected the Knicks fell with a resounding thud.
Brooklyn born Lance Stephenson who was passed up by the Knicks twice in the 2010 NBA draft began to display the offensive firepower he first showed during last year’s playoffs which became a coming out party of sorts. Now, Stephenson is a potential All-Star and candidate for the leagues Most Improved Player, an honor that his teammate, Paul George received just last season. Indiana would outscore the Knicks by 16 in the second holding New York to a paltry 17 points.
The highlight moment and defining play of the game would once again come on the defensive end. Similarly to last year in the playoffs when Roy Hibbert denied Anthony at the rim with a momentous block, Hibbert would once again turn Anthony away on a dunk attempt paving the way for a 15 point lead heading into the locker room. New York would walk off the court dejected while Indy received a standing ovation from their home crowd. A sight that is all too familiar if you happen to be a fan of the Knicks.
The rest of the game was essentially history as the Pacers would boost their lead to as much as 30 points in the fourth quarter. After the game Anthony called the loss “embarrassing” and that he didn’t believe any team was 30 points better than they were. Also saying Indiana “made adjustments” while the Knicks did not going as far as to say that there were stretches throughout the game where the Pacers “outworked” New York.
New York will try to make amends tonight with a match-up against the Los Angeles Clippers from Madison Square Garden.
Final
New York 89 Pacers 117
Notes: Kenyon Martin & Amar’e Stoudemire left the game with ankle injuries. Friday’s status for both is currently unknown.
New York shot just 40% from the field and 21% from downtown
Indiana made the Knicks pay when they turned the ball over scoring 20 points off 12 New York turnovers.
Wilson Caicedo: PureSportsNY