Pacers 97 Knicks 79
How bad has it gotten for the Knicks?
There was the home crowd vociferously booing their home team, and passionately chanting “Reggie! Reggie!” as the celebrated their former Public Enemy No. 1.
And there was Stephen Jackson abusing Tim Thomas and then flu-ridden Trevor Ariza, personally turning their perimeter defense into Swiss cheese.
Finally, there was Reggie Miller’s Garden swan song reminding the Knicks of their playoff duels of yesteryear; while getting dominated by Indiana reminded them just how far away from any new playoffs they really are.
How bad is it? Last night’s 97-79 loss to the Pacers showed just how bad.
“They came out with a little more effort than we did. I thought they wanted it a little more,” Herb Williams said. “They played a little harder than we did. You can’t have that happen. You’ve got to compete night-in and night-out. It’s an 82-game season. You can’t stop at 79. You’ve got to keep playing to the end.”
Jackson finished with 33 points, including 13 straight Pacer points in one stretch that sent the Knicks scurrying into a timeout and the Garden crowd into a chorus of boos. The crowd cheering Miller as he checked out with 7:20 to play was just salt in the festering wound.
“He’s been an evil enemy,” Tim Thomas said, then grudgingly, “but you’ve got to love him.”
As the buzzer sounded, Miller trotted across the court to embrace archenemy Spike Lee and hug three of his former business partners – business manager Gail D’Agostino, as well as Kristi Ensign and Elissa Grabow. It may have been a feel-good moment for Miller, but not for the home team.
“There were a few ‘[Reggie] sucks’ in there too. It’s been a love-hate relationship, but they want the best for the Knicks,” said Miller, who had 13 points but shot 3-of-15. “I was more excited to get the win. Ask any ballplayer, it’s the one place you want to succeed.”
The Knicks have had little success this season. After Stephon Marbury suffered through a 5-for-17, four-turnover night, the Knicks lost their seventh straight and fell to 29-44 with nine games left on the schedule to salvage some dignity.
They led 41-35 after Malik Rose’s 19-foot jumper midway through the second quarter. But Indiana went on a 19-4 run, capped by 10 straight. Dale Davis’ foul shots pushed the Pacers’ lead to 54-45 with :51.4 left in the half.
Leading 63-54, Jackson scored Indiana’s next 13 points, hitting 3s, running jumpers and finally an acrobatic layup that made it 73-57 with 4:02 left to send the Knicks into a timeout and the crowd into a vitriolic frenzy. By the time Miller acknowledged the crowd from the bench with 2:33 left, the game was decided.
