NEW YORK: The Indiana Pacers came out ice cold against a revenge-minded New York Knicks team yesterday but showed their class and put the NBA on notice with a hot finish that produced another notch in the win column.
Indiana missed their first seven shots and fell 13-0 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 disappointing 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, who 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’ (win).
“Paul George was sensational, not only carrying the offensive load the way he did, but covering Carmelo Anthony for basically 48 minutes. I don’t know where he finds the energy but it’s special.”
AFP
