(Reuters) - The Indiana Pacers shocked the New York Knicks with a convincing 106-93 victory on Sunday, ending a six-game losing streak despite playing without leading scorer Danny Granger.
With Chauncey Billups back after missing six games with a bruised thigh, the Knicks looked to extend their recent inspired play but Indiana built a 20-point lead in the third quarter before handing New York its second straight loss.
Tyler Hansbrough scored a career-high 29 points while Dahntay Jones added 18 in place of Granger, who missed the game with an illness.
"Coach didn't play me in the past (and) I
don't know why," the second-year Hansbrough told reporters after recording his fourth consecutive 20-point effort. "I try to come in the gym and try to get better and prove a point."
The Pacers (28-38) stopped their skid and kept pace in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race where they remain tied with Charlotte for the eighth and final post-season spot.
Amar'e Stoudemire had 28 points and Carmelo Anthony added 25 for the Knicks (34-31) who fell to 6-5 since trading for Anthony and Billups last month.
Billups was rusty in his return to the court, making 4 of 14 shots for nine points and missing all seven of his three-pointer attempts.
New York shot just 36 percent from the field as their lead on the sixth spot in the East was trimmed to a half-game over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Indiana nearly led from start to finish, taking an eight-point edge into halftime before pulling away in the third.
The Pacers and Knicks will meet again on Tuesday in Indiana.
With Chauncey Billups back after missing six games with a bruised thigh, the Knicks looked to extend their recent inspired play but Indiana built a 20-point lead in the third quarter before handing New York its second straight loss.
Tyler Hansbrough scored a career-high 29 points while Dahntay Jones added 18 in place of Granger, who missed the game with an illness.
"Coach didn't play me in the past (and) I
don't know why," the second-year Hansbrough told reporters after recording his fourth consecutive 20-point effort. "I try to come in the gym and try to get better and prove a point."
The Pacers (28-38) stopped their skid and kept pace in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race where they remain tied with Charlotte for the eighth and final post-season spot.
Amar'e Stoudemire had 28 points and Carmelo Anthony added 25 for the Knicks (34-31) who fell to 6-5 since trading for Anthony and Billups last month.
Billups was rusty in his return to the court, making 4 of 14 shots for nine points and missing all seven of his three-pointer attempts.
New York shot just 36 percent from the field as their lead on the sixth spot in the East was trimmed to a half-game over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Indiana nearly led from start to finish, taking an eight-point edge into halftime before pulling away in the third.
The Pacers and Knicks will meet again on Tuesday in Indiana.
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