NEW YORK Knicks rallied back from 20 points down to defeat Indiana Pacers, 106-100, in Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference Finals on Sunday night (Monday in the Philippines) at the Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Karl-Anthony Towns spearheaded the offense with 24 points, with 20 coming in the fourth quarter, to go with 15 rebounds and one assist as the Knicks trimmed the best-of-seven series deficit to 1-2.
Jalen Brunson battled foul trouble to end up with 23 markers, while OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges contributed 16 and 15 markers, respectively, for the Knicks.
Down by as many as 20 points at 35-55 late in the second quarter, the Knicks slowly clawed their way back to cut the deficit to 78-70 with under a minute remaining in the third period.
The Knicks continued their run in the fourth quarter behind inside and outside conversions from Towns to establish a 94-90 lead, but the Pacers managed to tie the score at 98-all on two free throws by Paskal Siakam.
New York reclaimed a 102-98 edge on an inside hit from Brunson and two free throws from Josh Hart. Free throws from Brunson and Hart later secured the win for the Knicks.
“I know you guys roll your eyes when I say no lead is safe, but no lead is safe,” said Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau in a post-game interview.
“When you get a team that’s committed to playing for each other and committed to winning and putting the team first, good things come from that,” he added.
Tyrese Haliburton top-scored for the Pacers with 20 points, Myles Turner added 19 markers, while Siakam and TJ McConnell contributed 17 and 12 points, respectively./PN
BOX SCORE:
NEW YORK 106 — Towns 24, Brunson 23, Anunoby 16, Bridges 15, McBride 9, Hart 8, Robinson 6, Shamet 3, Wright 2.
INDIANA 100 — Halliburton 20, Turner 19, Siakam 17, McConnell 12, Nembhard 9, Nesmith 8, Toppin 8, Sheppard 3, Bradley 2, Mathurin 2.
Quarterscores: 26-30; 45-58; 70-80; 106-100.
