The New York Knicks hosted the Indiana Pacers as the rivalry continued last night at Madison Square Garden.
Indiana entered this matchup losing their past 13 games and coming off a loss against the Milwaukee Bucks 134-123 on the road. New York was coming off a comeback win against the Golden State Warriors at home as they trailed by as many as 20.
The Garden was filled with green (shirts) as this rivalry would start from the jump on St. Patrick’s Day. Kobe Brown made back-to-back buckets to begin the game giving Indiana a quick 5-2 lead. Josh Hart had back-to-back buckets as it would be a scoring barrage for both teams. The Knicks and Pacers combined for 11 threes in the first quarter. OG Anunoby was lights out in the first as he had 15 points with three threes. New York was up 38-34 entering the second quarter.
Tyler Kolek found Anunoby in the corner for another three at the start of the second quarter. On four out of their six possessions, the Pacers made threes which captivated with a 50-47 lead. Quentin Jackson weaved through traffic for a chance at a three-point play. New York went on a 9-0 run which made it a four-point game. Hart made back-to-back threes and one where he beat the buzzer to end the half. The Garden crowd roared and were on their feet as the Knicks led 72-64 at halftime. Once again both teams would continue their shooting prowess as they combined for 11 more made threes.
Karl-Anthony Towns would start the early part of the third quarter scoring eight points which included a step back three over Ivicia Zubac. At the 3:55 mark in the quarter, Quentin Jackson shoved Landry Shamet to the ground as both players came face to face with each other. Jackson and Shamet would both receive technicals. Hart drove baseline against Obi Toppin and muscled up a shot and scored over two defenders. He made the free throw to complete the three-point play. Hart led the way with 14 points in the quarter. The Knicks led 105-91 at the end of the third. Kolek threw a lob to Mitchell Robinson from just inside halfcourt to give the Knicks their largest lead of the game 115-96. New York and Indiana would empty their bench in the final three minutes of the game. The Knicks won 136-110.
Josh Hart led the way with 33 points which is the most points he has ever scored as a member of the Knicks. Karl-Anthony Towns had a double-double of 22 points along with 12 rebounds. Anunoby had 24 points and Jose Alvarado had 16. New York was on fire from three-point range as they made 18 threes. Indiana made 17 threes of their own. Jarace Walker led the way with 16 points and TJ McConnell had a double-double of 10 points and 10 assists.
The Pacers next play the Portland Trailblazers at home on the second night of a back to back this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Knicks next play Friday at 7:30 p.m on the road as they face their New York rivals in the Brooklyn Nets.
