First Thoughts: Pacers 125, Knicks 91
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Let’s take a quick look at how the Indiana Pacers pulled off a 125-91 blowout win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
WHY IT HAPPENED: Indiana scored a season-high 125 points, pulled off its biggest win of the season and earned its largest victory over rival New York since a 131-86 decision at Market Square Arena exactly 33 years ago on Feb. 20, 1980. The Pacers knocked the Knicks silly. Paul George had 27 points and eight rebounds. David West added 18 points and nine rebounds of his own. Indiana played solid team ball, sharing the orange to the tune of a season-high-tying 28 assists. Five players off the bench scored at least seven points. New York, which takes and makes the most 3s in the NBA, shot 5-for-28 from beyond the arc.
WHAT WE LEARNED: There’s a race underway for the East’s No. 2 seed, a prized possession because its owner avoids a potential matchup with defending champion and likely top seed Miami until the conference finals. But one team played like it was preseason, while the other played as if its per diem was on the line. New York was humiliated from the get-go as the Pacers made the court their personal playground. Things were going so well that Sam Young and Gerald Green had their moments in the spotlight. Meanwhile, the Knicks basically quit trying in the second quarter.
Indiana made a statement after blowing two home games in overtime before the All-Star break. This one was over before it even started. New York couldn’t take it with class, either, yelling at referees, coaches, Lance Stephenson, fans and anything else in eyesight. Unable to stop, slow or stay in front of the Pacers, the Knicks just started grabbing them, committing 29 fouls. In a matchup of two of the conference’s top teams, New York’s showing was one of the most pathetic in the NBA all season. Indiana improved to 33-21. The Knicks dropped to 32-19. Pacers forward Danny Granger could be back in action soon. Even brief doses of his offensive punch could make the team better. That point appeared moot Wednesday.
KEY NUMBER: New York was whistled for three technical fouls, two on the ejected J.R. Smith and one on Amare Stoudemire, with coach Mike Woodson nearly picking up one of his own. Raymond Felton received a flagrant foul for throwing his right elbow into Jeff Pendergraph’s back. Knicks assistant Jim Todd confronted Indiana coach Frank Vogel at the end of the first half. No number could adequately capture the meltdown of composure.
TURNING POINT: Lance Stephenson posted up Jason Kidd on the right block and made a 6-foot banker at 10:26 of the first quarter. No one could possibly have known so at the moment, but that basket actually gave Indiana the lead for good. From there, the only thing that kept the game interesting was seeing just how low the Knicks’ ineptitude would take them.
NEXT: Indiana faces the Pistons Friday night in Indianapolis before the two teams meet for an instant rematch Saturday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Also: Cliff Brunt’s AP story: Pacers 125, Knicks 91.
Follow Chris Goff on Twitter: www.twitter.com/Pacers_Chants.
Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cliffbrunt_isl.
