Carmelo Anthony was having a big night, going for 34 points. But the New York Knicks' star really got revenge for the Indiana Pacers, especially Danny Granger. Anthony 34th point was probably the most important one of the game, as he hit a game-winner with 4.9 seconds left. After that, Granger would have his game-winning attempt blocked, which probably gave a sweet taste of revenge for Anthony after Granger hit a game-winner over New York in the team's previous meeting.
New York went on to a big victory at Conseco Fieldhouse, 110-109. Granger had 20 points but a potential 22nd never got through. The Knicks have really improved lately, as they were falling towards the seventh seed and were on the verge of giving that up to Indiana when the Knicks struggled. But now they are getting their pieces together finally.
"As a team, we've come a long way since I've gotten here," Anthony said. "I think everybody bought into what's going on, bought into the Mike D'Antoni system. I told you it was going to take some time. It's starting to click, offensively and defensively."
The Pacers had it going for them when they led 98-87 after the end of the third quarter, looking to go as far as finishing the season at 39-43. But it never happened. New York would go on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 98-97. However, Granger and Josh McRoberts responded with shots of their own to create an eventual 109-103 lead with 3:31 left in the game.
From there one, New York would lead the rest of the way to get the victory. After a Landry Fields dunk to cut the lead to 109-108, Pacers' point guard Darren Collison looked to create a shot and try to end this game. But he would miss a jumper with 13 seconds to go. With the Knicks ball, Anthony would make some moves and then attempted a 19-footer over Granger. It was in. Game over, Knicks win.
"I just love those moments," Anthony said. "I make the shot, I'm a hero. I don't, move on to the next game.
"I knew it was in," he added. "Some of them, I'm kind of skeptical about. As soon as I released it, you just get that feeling. I came to the bench and told Jared [Jeffries], 'If we get a stop, we're going to go home happy."
After that, Granger got blocked on a shot and Darren Collison missed a shot after recovering his shot. Mike Dunleavy would try to get a quick tip-in before time expired, but even if it had went in, it probably wouldn't have counted. The Pacers had this game and they would have been 38-43 instead of 37-44.
"We had the game, let it get away," Granger said. "I have no comments on the final play of the game."
Roy Hibbert played well with 19 points and ten rebounds. Toney Douglas had 14 points for New York and Chauncey Billups had 21 along with seven assists.
Indiana is going to stay at the eighth seed no matter what happens now.
"A tough loss down the stretch," Pacers interim coach Frank Vogel said. "They made the plays and we didn't."
Indiana will face Chicago in the playoffs. We'll see what happens. But before that happens, Indy goes to Orlando to play the Magic for the final game of the regular season. This looks to be a good one. Can't wait.
