The Indiana Pacers came out of the All-Star break in dominating fashion blowing out the New York Knicks 125-91. The point total is also the highest out put by the Pacers all season and it just so happened to come against the #2 team in the East.
“Since day one, our first practice coming back everybody was focused and I think we really showed it tonight,” said Paul George who posted a game-high 27 points.
“Obviously a good way to come out of the break get a big win like that over a really good basketball team. We just have to understand that it’s one win. The Knicks didn’t have it tonight but every team in the league has a night like this, we were on the plus side of it,” said Pacers head coach Frank Vogel.
The Pacers never trailed in the game and led the Knicks by 32 points at the half. For the Knicks a lopsided game like that didn’t go over easy. Emotions boiled over so much so that New York’s JR Smith was ejected in the 3rd quarter after picking up his second technical. Smith was assessed his first technical after a skirmish with Pacers forward Lance Stephenson at the end of the first half.
“Anytime there is a blowout it gets a little edgy. That’s normal,” said Vogel.
“We got into their heads being very aggressive early and we were smart enough to keep our focus and not get ejected,” added Stephenson.
The Pacers improve to 33-21 overall and are now just .5 game back of the Knicks for the #2 spot in the East. Next up, the blue and gold host the Detroit Pistons on Friday at 7 p.m.
