Granger leads Pacers past Knicks

[April 04, 2012]  INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Danny Granger scored 14 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, and the Indiana Pacers rallied from 17 points down in the second half to beat the New York Knicks 112-104 on Tuesday night.

The Pacers outscored the Knicks 40-17 in the final 12 minutes.

Paul George scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter. Indiana reserves Leandro Barbosa and Dahntay Jones added 12 points each for the Pacers.

Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 39 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Knicks.

New York is battling for a playoff spot without two of its best players. Forward Amare Stoudemire (back) missed a fifth straight game, and point guard Jeremy Lin is out for the regular season after having surgery on his left knee.

Landry Fields scored 15 points and Tyson Chandler added 12 points and 14 rebounds for New York, which fell to 9-3 under interim coach Mike Woodson.

Indiana led 101-93 in the fourth quarter before New York rallied. A three-point play, then a 3-pointer by Anthony cut Indiana's lead to 101-99.

The Pacers led 106-102 and New York had another chance to get close. Anthony's 3-pointer from the left wing was off and Paul George rebounded. He was fouled and made two free throws. George then stole J.R. Smith's inbounds pass and dunked. On the way downcourt, Smith threw Barbosa to the ground, was called for a flagrant 2 and ejected.

New York finished the first half on a 11-2 run to take a 59-51 lead into the break, and the Knicks quickly pushed the lead to double figures at the start of the third quarter. A three-point play by Baron Davis bumped New York's lead to 13 before Indiana rallied.

Indiana's David West got loose on a fast break, and made a basket as he was undercut by New York's Iman Shumpert. West converted the free throw to cut New York's lead to eight points, and a jumper by George Hill drew Indiana to within six.

New York rallied, and a 3-pointer by Steve Novak pushed New York's lead to 87-70 in the final minute of the third quarter.

Indiana opened the fourth quarter with an 8-2 run. A layup by Granger cut New York's lead to 89-80, got the crowd back into the game and forced New York to call timeout.

Indiana continued its run after the timeout. A free throw by George cut New York's lead to one point, and Granger's 3-pointer with 6:35 to go tied the game at 91.

NOTES: Area 55, designated for Roy Hibbert fans, was filled with No. 31 Reggie Miller jerseys. Miller was just announced as a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame class for 2012. ... The Pacers wore their alternate gold uniforms. ... Indiana matched its win total of 32 from 2009-10, Jim O'Brien's last full season as coach. ... Novak's 3-pointer at the end of the first quarter tied the game at 31. ... Indiana University coach Tom Crean attended the game.

[Associated Press; By CLIFF BRUNT]

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