By Tennie Sumague
EBC New York Bureau
NEW YORK (Eagle News) – Kristaps Porzingis has proven again why he’s the New York Knicks’ Most Valuable Player, scoring a career and team best 40 points as New York came from a 19-point deficit in the third quarter to beat the Indiana Pacers 108-101 at Madison Square Garden Sunday night.
In a game where the Knicks struggled defensively and trailed through three quarters, Porzingis sparked the team’s comeback, scoring 17 of his 40 points in the fourth quarter. The Knicks scored 15 consecutive points between the third and fourth quarters and earned their first lead at 97-96 when Porzingis scored and was fouled with 3:26 left to play.
With the game tied at 99, Porzingis set up an assist to rookie Frank Ntilikina for a three-pointer to give the Knicks a three-point lead. Ntilikina forced a turnover and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored on a layup that put the team up by five.
Indiana kept it close within three points with 32.4 seconds but Lance Thomas was fouled and made two free throws to steal the victory.
Porzingis, playing with a “New York mentality,” was 15-for-24 on the floor, with eight rebounds and six blocks for the night. Ntilikina scored a career best 10 points, seven assists and three steals in 24 minutes off the bench and Enes Kanter contributed to a team best 18 rebounds.
“We made the adjustments at half. We did a great job of making tough shots and guys stepped up,” said Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek on the team’s fourth quarter comeback. “Can’t say enough about Lance Thomas. He’s probably our best defender. [Porzingis] got great confidence when he’s shooting, and [Ntilikina] is finding his way out there. He played in real crunch time minutes. It says a lot about him and how he plays with confidence. He’s not afraid of the moment.”
The Knicks will end their five-game home stand at the Garden on Tuesday night when they take on Dwight Howard and the Charlotte Hornets.
(Eagle News Service)