THE FACTS: The Indiana Pacers are making a compelling case for becoming the NBA‘s best defensive team. Two days after limiting the defending champion Heat to a season-low 77 points in a 10-point victory, the Pacers held the next-best team in the Eastern Conference to a season-low 76 points in a five-point win over the New York Knicks Thursday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Paul George took care of business at both ends, as usual, leading the Pacers with 24 points, adding 11 rebounds, a career-high six steals and five assists. Ian Mahinmi came off the bench to replace an ailing Roy Hibbert down the stretch and scored 11 of his 13 points in a 21-4 fourth-quarter run that blew open the game. Indiana (22-14) won its ninth straight at home, the team’s longest streak since 2002-03. The Knicks played without suspended star Carmelo Anthony and his absence was felt mightily. J.R. Smith scored a game-high 25 points but shot 10 of 29 from the field. Tyson Chandler had 12 points and 15 rebounds for the Knicks (23-12), who have lost seven of 12.
Source: FULL ARTICLE at NBA