The incisive New York Knicks defense stopped the Pacers in their tracks to reap the eighth victory of the course, 84-92. The team led by Tom Thibodeau closed the match thanks to a 10-23 run and barely allowed them to score two baskets in play during the fourth quarter.
Reserves Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose were instrumental again down the stretch. Quickley stood out with 16 points and 5 assists, and his teammate added 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 basket passes to his credit.
“This is how games are won,” Julius Randle acknowledged with 11 points and 11 rebounds, although with 5/15 in shooting from the field.
The Knicks ended a three-game losing streak at Madison Square Garden and two overall to beat the Pacers to sixth in the East.
“It’s kind of 90s basketball. You have to go out there and fight. It was like a playoff game because of how we were playing tonight, “said Taj Gibson.
The New Yorkers’ starters started again, and it had to be the second unit plus Barrett and Randle who turned the score around, leaving the Pacers 2/20 in the fourth quarter.
Malcolm Brogdon was the most outstanding of the Indianapolis with 22 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists along with a Domantas Sabonis who contributed 21 points and 15 rebounds.
“His aggressiveness made it very difficult for us tonight,” admitted Rick Carlisle. “We had some good pitches that didn’t go in, and some that didn’t. And also we were against the clock of possession in a pair of occasions ”, explained.
The previous clash between the two franchises resulted in a victory for the Pacers with 25 points from Myles Turner and seven made 3-pointers. Last night he had only 3 points and 3 rebounds in 32 minutes. They also couldn’t count on rookie Chris Duarte, out with a right shoulder injury. Instead Justin Holiday started with 8 points and 3/10 attempts.
Other highlights of the Knickerbockers they were Kemba Walker with 16 points in just 20 minutes, although Thibs sat him down again throughout the last quarter due to his lack of defense; and a recovered Barrett who started with 0/6 attempts and recovered to finish with 12 points and 6 rebounds.
(Cover photo: Sarah Stier / Getty Images)