The New York Knicks have won perhaps their most impressive win of the season so far, beating the Indiana Pacers for most of the night before reaching the lead in the final, 106-102.
The Knicks were boosted on Wednesday by the clutch game of Carmelo Anthony Austin Rivers, who hit the Pacers with the most terrible blow we’ve seen since Melo left.
Rivers finished 6-9 for 15 points and provided the team with a much needed spark when replacing Reggie Bullock, who was smelly. His three-point shot put the Knicks ahead twice.
And what followed in the next two possessions was a defensive masterclass. Julius Randle did not take offensive tonight, shooting just 5-16, but he put the tweezers on the All-Star Domantas Sabonis, especially late. Indy tried to be late for his big man, and Randle was ready.
The game was still close, however, and Pacers playmaker Malcolm Brogdon had been destroying the Knicks all night … until he tried the deadly sin of kicking the ball around Mitchell Robinson.
The Knicks did not lose the lead thanks to RJ Barrett’s clutch free kick, who finally recovered from discouragement, leading the 25 points in 8-15 shots (4-5 out of three!). RJ is now 7-8 throwing three against Indiana and an unfathomable 0-21 against everyone else.
Immanuel Quickley took his revenge on the Pacers, who accidentally injured him at the opening of the season, scoring 9 points in 3-4.
Many heroes in this. What a game! Alex will have the recap tomorrow morning.