Knicks Surprise Pacers

One game after ending a six-game losing streak, the New York Knicks kept it going with a 107-92 victory over the Indiana Pacers at Indianapolis on Tuesday night.

Jalen Rose led the way with 21 points.

New York, which had lost 16 of its last 18 games and had the NBA’s second-worst record, overcame a horrible start, pulled within one point at halftime and took control with a flurry of three-point baskets at the start of the third quarter.

Rose and Quentin Richardson made consecutive three-pointers as the Knicks went ahead in the first minute of the third period. Richardson had another three-pointer and Stephon Marbury made two more before New York’s first miss. By that time, the Knicks’ lead was 64-57. The Pacers managed one more tie at 72-72 but never led afterward.

“This wasn’t one of their better games, but it’s a quality win for us on the road,” Knick Coach Larry Brown said.

The Knicks had also won Saturday at Milwaukee.

“We’re playing under control better. We’re not just running up and down the court,” Brown said of the difference the past two games. “I feel good about everybody’s contribution.”

The Knicks shot only 21% in the first quarter but trailed only 18-12 at the end of the period.

Stephen Jackson and Peja Stojakovic led Indiana with 20 points each.

Houston 93, Minnesota 87 -- Yao Ming topped 20 points for the eighth straight game, scoring 30 points and grabbing 13 rebounds in a victory without Tracy McGrady (back injury) at Minneapolis.

Houston earned its third straight victory on a 12-0 run at the start of the fourth quarter.

Kevin Garnett made only six of 17 shots but scored 15 points and had 21 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who didn’t score in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter, missing their first 12 shots.

Boston 116, Washington 115 -- Paul Pierce made a 22-footer at the buzzer to lift the Celtics in overtime at Washington. Pierce scored 31 points, including the Celtics’ last seven points in overtime, as they overcame a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit.

Gilbert Arenas led Washington with 39 points, including all 11 of the Wizards’ overtime points. His pull-up jumper with 14 seconds left in overtime had put the Wizards ahead, 115-114.

Chicago 95, New Jersey 87 -- Andres Nocioni scored a career-high 24 points and Kirk Hinrich added 22 points and nine assists at Chicago to hand the Nets their fifth loss in their last six games.

Luol Deng also scored 22 for the Bulls, who put the game away with a 16-6 run after a 73-73 tie.

Dallas 93, Portland 87 -- Jason Terry had 11 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter and Jerry Stackhouse made a three-pointer with 41 seconds left to help the Mavericks overcome a 13-point first-half deficit in beating the visiting Trail Blazers for the ninth straight time.

Zach Randolph scored 33 for Portland.

Atlanta 113, Golden State 106 -- At Atlanta, the Hawks’ Joe Johnson scored a career-high 42 points and the Warriors’ Jason Richardson matched him with a career-high tying 42. Richardson’s effort wasn’t enough to prevent the Warriors from losing for the seventh time in their last eight games.

Cleveland 106, Toronto 99 -- Flip Murray scored 24 points and LeBron James had 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists to help the host Cavaliers win their third in a row. Mike James scored 31 for Toronto.