Knicks use big 4th quarter to win Game 3 vs. Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS - The New York Knicks clawed their way back into the Eastern Conference Finals with a hard-nosed win in Game 3, ramping up the defensive intensity in the fourth quarter to claim a must-win game, 106-100.




For a time, it looked like Indiana took control in the first half, using a 13-0 run to jump out to a 20-point lead in the second quarter. The Knicks, facing elimination, fought back and cut the lead down significantly in the third and fourth quarters.




The fourth quarter was a nightmare for Indiana, which couldn't pull off another miracle finish.




With 10:22 left in the fourth, New York cut the lead to five points in a run primarily fueled by Pacers mistakes, including offensive fouls, turnovers and missed shots. The absence of defensive ace Aaron Nesmith, who rolled his ankle in the third quarter, certainly didn't help.

Coach Rick Carlisle called a timeout to settle his team down. Indiana turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, and Karl-Anthony Towns cut the lead to three with a layup.




Towns missed the free throw, but the Knicks got the ball back on a jumpball. They ultimately came up empty on the possession, and Pascal Siakam scored a bucket to push the lead back to five. The Knicks and Pacers then traded free throws to make it 85-81.




Towns responded with a three-pointer and after another empty Pacers possession, he got a dunk and a free throw to make it 87-85 with 8:01 left.




Nesmith returned with 7:03 left after Knicks star Jalen Brunson picked up his fifth foul. Siakam hit a jumper to give the Pacers a 90-89 lead with under six minutes to go.




After a pair of free throws and a tough three-pointer from Towns, the Knicks took a 94-90 lead, prompting another timeout from Carlisle. At that point, Towns had scored 20 points in the quarter.




The Pacers tied it at 98 all with 1:37 left on a pair of Siakam free throws. Brunson responded with a bucket for 100-98 lead. The Pacers came up empty on their next two possessions, and a loose ball foul on Nesmith sent Josh Hart to the line for a pair of free throws to make it 102-98.




Tyrese Haliburton sank a pair from the line to cut the lead to 102-100, but Indiana wouldn't get any closer.




Brunson sealed the game with a pair of free throws with 8.1 seconds left to make it 104-100. Hart added a pair of free throws late for the final score.




New York outscored Indiana 36-20 in the fourth quarter. Haliburton led Indiana with 20 points, followed by Myles Turner with 19 and Siakam with 17. Towns had 24 for the Knicks, while Brunson scored 23 and OG Anunoby added 16.




The Pacers had the chance to take a commanding 3-0 series lead. They still lead the series 2-1, with Game 4 set for 8 p.m. on Tuesday.



via: https://fox59.com/sports/pacers/knicks-use-big-4th-quarter-to-win-game-3-vs-pacers/