On Nov. 20, the Indiana Pacers improved to 10-1 on the season as they handed Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks their 8th loss including their 6th loss at home. With the 10-1 start, Paul George and the Pacers improved to the best start in franchise history.
George, who led all scorers, had 35 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist, and 5 steals in the Pacers 103-96 over-time win against the Knicks. The Knicks jumped out to an early 13-0 in the opening of the game but the Pacers chipped away at the lead to find themselves down by five at the end of the first period.
With 7:31 left in the 3rd period, the Pacers were able to tie the game for the first time since 0-0 at the 11:15 mark of the 1st period off a three point play by Lance Stephenson when he was fouled by Iman Shumpert on a lay-up.
Ironically, it was the Knicks Shumpert who fouled George on a 3-point shot with 5 seconds left in the game sending George to the free throw line where he connected on all three shots tying the game and eventually sending it into over-time as the Knicks were not able to hit on Anthony’s 11-foot jump shot or the put back by J.R. Smith. In the over-time period the Pacers took the lead off a 3 point shot from George making the score 92-89 with 3:43 left in the extra period.
The Knicks were never able to tie the game or regain the lead as the Pacers were able to hold off the Knicks getting their tenth win in eleven games to start the season.
-Daminon Lewis
