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On a night of crappy weather, lackluster tax return reveals, and an unfortunate injury to Kristaps Porzingis (thigh contusion suffered at the beginning of the fourth quarter), the Knicks turned to a most unusual strategy: defense. And it worked! New York held the Pacers to 29 points in the second half en route to an 87-81 victory.
Carmelo Anthony couldn’t buy a bucket in the first half — 1-8 from the field to start — but caught fire down the stretch.
The #Knicks are cooking! The NYK lead is up to 79-72 with 3:03 to go! #NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/FodyZlzXLM
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 15, 2017
Given that this was a defensive struggle, it makes sense that Kristaps Porzingis’s best highlights came via the blocked shot.
CJ Miles attempts to summit MOUNTZINGIS ⛰
— Dr. Wob, M.D. (@World_Wide_Wob) March 15, 2017
Result: AVALANCHE pic.twitter.com/QDKOpikz5M
GET THAT WEAK SHIT OUT OF HERE, PAUL GEORGE!
Paul George attempts to summit MOUNTZINGIS ⛰
— Dr. Wob, M.D. (@World_Wide_Wob) March 15, 2017
Result: AVALANCHE pic.twitter.com/MZyqEnCO6p
Kristaps got one of his few buckets via a sweet dish from Ron Baker.
.@RonBaker31 ➡️ @kporzee! #NYKvsIND #Knicks pic.twitter.com/kebQU6261c
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 15, 2017
Ron came up big in the fourth, harassing whichever poor Pacer ball handler happened to cross his path. But the real hero might have been Willy Hernangomez, who battled Myles Turner to a standstill late while dropping 13 points and 16 rebounds and 3 steals.
Recap to come.