The New York Knicks came away with a huge win against a playoff team on the road, the Indiana Pacers, behind the efforts of their bench.
- New York Knicks 109 (20-26)
- Indiana Pacers 103 (22-22)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
The New York Knicks’ bench came to play tonight. Indiana Pacers legend and TNT analyst Reggie Miller was singing the praises of Knicks rookie Willy Hernangomez all night. Miller could tell what fans have been yelling for a majority of the 2016-17 season: Hernangomez needs more minutes.
The rookie logged 24 minutes tonight and racked up his third double-double of the season (just two less than Joakim Noah‘s five) with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Hernangomez finished with a +/- rating of +12, but still wasn’t the best reserve New York had on Monday.
The Knicks were +14 in the 32 minutes when Justin Holiday was on the court. The “throw-in” during the Derrick Rose trade played tremendous defense and made three 3-point shots.
The hero was Carmelo Anthony who had an efficient night shooting the ball (9-17 for 26 points) including a clutch fadeaway jumper that clinched it with less than 30 second remaining. Kristaps Porzingis (3-11 FG, 8 points) is still a step slow from his Achilles injury so Anthony’s play was even more important tonight.
Carmelo Anthony NEEDED that one after missing a free throw and committing a terrible foul. Clutch shot from Melo. #Knicks lead late. pic.twitter.com/uqMYMgQhhQ
— Elite Sports NY (@EliteSportsNY) January 24, 2017
Key Player
The Knicks held Pacers point guard Jeff Teague to 3-9 shooting and just 7 points. He came into Monday’s game at 45.0 percent from the field and averaging 15.7 points per game. He was outplayed by Rose.
Key Stat
The Pacers were 7-26 (26.9 percent) from three-point range. The Pacers are only 28th in the league in three-pointers made per game, but for the Knicks who struggle so much guarding the deep ball that’s a huge accomplishment.
.@carmeloanthony scored 26 & delivered in the clutch. Postgame report from Indy ? #NYKvsIND #Knicks
[?https://t.co/wuxnPxU77g] pic.twitter.com/0zEBMYVJdZ— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
.@carmeloanthony buries the fading jumper! #Knicks lead 105-103! 23.4 seconds to go. #NYKvsIND
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
#Knicks 103 Pacers 101 | 45.1 4Q#NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/APQuyHvHSR
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
.@carmeloanthony bullies his way to the rack! #Knicks extend their lead to 102-99.
1:07 4Q. #NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/mlZG0c4c5e
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
Buckle up. #Knicks 100 Pacers 97 | 3:01 4Q#NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/OY09obQYnV
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
4Q UP NEXT! #NYKvsIND@carmeloanthony: 21p@drose: 18p@willyhg94: 10p / 10r#Knicks pic.twitter.com/eUVQTwGIsV
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
#Knicks ? 13. #NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/Qe5UNzCWOY
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
The #Knicks have outscored the Pacers 13-2 to start the 3Q!
NYK 75 Pacers 60 | 3Q #NYKvsIND@drose: 14p pic.twitter.com/glCFRfznsj
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
Some key numbers for the #Knicks at the half:
22 attempts at the FT line
52.6% FG
29 bench points
15 fast break points— Jonah Ballow (@jonahballow) January 24, 2017
The #Knicks outscore the Pacers 40-24 to take a 62-58 lead to the locker room! #NYKvsIND@carmeloanthony: 17p@drose: 12p@willyhg94: 10p pic.twitter.com/ONFaNzRFZH
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
Hernangomez says NOPE! ? pic.twitter.com/8XxT5uX7Zm
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 24, 2017
The #Knicks looking to make a strong push to the half. Pacers lead 43-38 with 5:59 to go in the 2Q. #NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/XSew59UrYs
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
The #Knicks have trimmed the deficit down to 37-31! #NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/yToIPP1iMf
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
Pacers 34 #Knicks 22 | End of 1Q@carmeloanthony: 12p (4-6 FG)@JoakimNoah: 4r#NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/A2CFrBDEnm
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
#Knicks starters:
2️⃣5️⃣ @drose
5️⃣ @CourtneyLee2211
7️⃣ @carmeloanthony
6️⃣ @kporzee
1️⃣3️⃣ @JoakimNoah #NYKvsIND pic.twitter.com/KWBL99lZ6z— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 24, 2017
