Here are my running thoughts from the Pacers’ 115-97 win over the New York Knicks Monday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
- Knicks without starters Kristaps Porzingis (sprained right ankle/illness) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (stress injury, lower left leg). Neither made the flight to Indy after losing at home last night to Orlando. Remember, Porzingis scored a career-high 40 points in their previous meeting, 108-101 in early November. That was Indiana’s second loss of a four-game losing streak.
- The Pacers were without Alex Poythress and rookie Ike Anigbogu. Both were up in Fort Wayne playing for the Mad Ants for the second straight game.
- Vic with the no-look pass to Turner for the flush. It’s just Dec. 4, Game No. 24, and the chemistry is better than it ever was last season. Eight assists on the first Pacers 12 field goals.
- T.J. Leaf made an early appearance. He’s played a total of 14 minutes over the last six games.
- Overheard in the stands: “Jarrett Jack… He’s still in the NBA?” It’s his 13th season, for those curious.
- Pacers are outright handling the Knicks. They never trailed and the Knicks took a timeout after the Pacers moved in front by 17 points. Thad Young (6/6, 13 points) able to get in the paint whenever he wants.
- Lance made em dance just before the half with these moves – leading to a layup.
- Three minutes into the second half, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek sent a whole new five in. “An entire team substitution for the Knicks,” said Pacers public address announcer Jerry Baker. The Pacers were up by 34.
- Several stats are impressive in this one — they’re going to be with a Pacers 35-point lead (halfway through the third) — but the one that stands out to me: fast break points. Pacers 25, Knicks 0. McMillan wants to run … and that’s exactly what they were able to do.
- 38: The Pacers’ new largest lead of the season, 78-40. That topped their old high of 30, set last month in Miami.
- Cory Joseph holding his left shoulder after being fouled in the act of shooting. He made both free throws, though.
- Oh, hey Joakim Noah. He made his second appearance of the season (over 23 games).
- Knicks hit three straight triples early in the fourth quarter, matching as many as they had through the first three quarters.
- It was a balanced win with seven Pacers finishing in double figures, led by 20 & 6 from Thad Young – his second 20-plus point performance in three games (and third of the season).
- Darren Collison (10 points, 10 assists) recorded his fifth double double of the season, more this season than any year since his rookie campaign (14) in New Orleans.
- Indiana snapped a three-game losing skid to the Knicks. They have to take care of teams like this, and tonight they did.
- They are now 11-2 this season when making 10 more 3-pointers.
- It was a solid overall game for the Pacers. The Knicks were plus 12 in the fourth quarter to make the loss look reasonable, down to 18. But make no mistake, the Pacers had full control when it mattered.
- Up next: Pacers (13-11) host the dreadful Chicago Bulls, who own just three wins 22 games, on Wednesday.
Lance Stephenson dances to the rim!#Pacers pic.twitter.com/qgWRcfa0qR
— NBA (@NBA) December 5, 2017
YES. pic.twitter.com/dJsVJt69Gi
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 5, 2017