New York Knicks guard J.R. Smith (8) dunks against Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) as Knicks center Marcus Camby (23) and Pacers forwards Gerald Green (25) and Tyler Hansbrough (50) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
January 10, 2013 - 8:07 PM
INDIANAPOLIS - Paul George scored seven points in a 13-0 fourth-quarter run and finished with 24, leading the Indiana Pacers past the short-handed New York Knicks 81-76 on Thursday night.
The Pacers (22-14) have won 12 of 15, including a sweep of the other two Eastern Conference division leaders — Miami and the Knicks — this week.
New York (23-12) was led by J.R. Smith with 25 points on a night they clearly missed Carmelo Anthony. The NBA's second-leading scorer was suspended by the league for Monday's postgame confrontation with Boston's Kevin Garnett.
Without Anthony, the Knicks fell nine points below their previous season-low point total (85) and shot just 34.8 per cent from the field.
New York rallied from a 49-38 third-quarter deficit and started the fourth with a 60-58 lead.
But George changed the game with his quick scoring flurry, which gave Indiana a 71-62 lead. Indiana never trailed again.
News from © The Associated Press, 2013