Game Thread: New York Knicks vs Indiana Pacers 7:30 11/5/2017 [Game #9]

NEW YORK -- Sunday night should present a matchup of two of the bright young big men in the NBA at Madison Square Garden.

If, that is, Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner is prepared to tangle with New York Knicks' forward/center Kristaps Porzingis.

The Pacers' young stud returned to the floor on Friday night in a 121-110 loss to Philadelphia after a seven-game absence because of a concussion and its after-effects. Turner had 11 points and nine rebounds in 24 minutes in the loss, his first action since the team's opening-night 140-131 win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets.

Turner is expected to start against the Knicks on Sunday, but he'll have one tall task in front of him.

Porzingis has blossomed into one of the best big man in the league as he finishes out a week in which he has already topped 35 points twice. The third-year pro had 38 points in a 116-110 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday and 37 in a 120-107 win over Phoenix on Friday.

Porzingis brought a rather unexcitable MSG crowd to its feet on Friday, drawing cheers of "MVP! MVP!" after he blocked a Josh Jackson layup and then drew a foul while dunking with authority on the offensive end late in the fourth quarter.

"I love that play," Porzingis told reporters after the game. "Just the energy in the Garden at that moment was unbelievable. I had to calm myself down to hit the free throw."

Porzingis missed practice due to a sore left ankle on Saturday but is expected to play.

Turner's return to the lineup could spark an Indiana squad that fared well enough without him.

Indiana had won three straight before Friday's loss, including a 124-107 win at Cleveland on Wednesday, the Pacers' best win of the young season.

The Pacers got solid-if-unspectacular production from second-year center Domantas Sabonis, the No. 11 pick in last season's draft. Sabonis averaged more than 15 points and 11 rebounds over the past four games, in which the Pacers went 3-1.

The 76ers had 34 assists in Friday's win, and for the second straight game, Indiana will try to limit a team on the fast break.

"Transition, I thought we lost them, it was a rat race early," Indiana coach Nate McMillan said after the loss. "They were knocking down some shots, tempo was fast. With the changes of their rotation, we had some cross matchups and lost those guys. We regrouped in the second quarter, and were able to get control and slow them down. We took some better shots to get back into the game. They made a couple more shots than we did."

New York has been better on the break since the addition of Jarrett Jack to the starting lineup. The longtime pro has stabilized the Knicks' backcourt, and Tim Hardaway Jr. has thrived as his running mate. New York is 4-1 since Jack took over the point guard duties from Ramon Sessions.

Having Turner back will help Indiana attempt to slow down the Knicks' momentum.

"We're looking forward to getting back to our rotation tomorrow," McMillan told reporters after Saturday's practice. "Myles played more minutes than we expected (Friday night). He looked OK. His wind was OK. We have to continue to work him back in shape, but I want to get him back with that first unit and get Domas back to that second unit."

(cbssports.com via STATS)

nice thread!



the beas is ready.

Thanks again, Rady.

Indiana has been playing well lately, so this might be a tough test, but we need to get the win tonight and get above 0.500 for the first time this season.

Let?s go Knicks!

Great Game-Thread Rady .... I'm looking forward to the Miles Turner vs KP matchup ..
Plus Oladipo vs THJ showdown ..
We gonna need another big game from Jack tonight to hold off the Pacers

Ridiculous alley-oop to KP from THJ. We lead 10 - 9 about 4 minutes into the game.

6 minutes into the game Knicks shot five 3-ball shots .. Kanter grab offensive rebound throws to KP for a dime

Wow! I forgot Lance Stephenson was on the Pacers

Defense not up to snuff in the 1st quarter. We let Pacers score 33 and we trail by 8.

Ntikilina misses both FTs to end the first quarter.

Terrible call by ref on Beasley. An official shouldn't be allowed to make that call. Ref was all the way back by the three-point line, off to the side. Sabonis goes up and MB swats ball out of bounds. Ref under hoop, staring at action right in from of him, rules it out of bounds... but the ref from the rafters decides to give Indy 2 points. If anything, call should've been 3 seconds on Sabonis for standing under basketball With ball for 15 seconds.

damn, we can't even buy a bucket right now. pacers are too fast.

we need to come out 3rd quarter on FIRE! do what other teams have been doing to us coming out of halftime.

We're missing a ton of layups and can't buy a 3 (2-13 from downtown). Whoever the official is wearing #49.... it's looking like he put a few grand on Indy. If 1 of his 50/50 calls goes nY's way.... it'll be a first. He just called a phantom call on KOQ, b/c Oladipo traveled and fell. So, obviously, we fouled him.

KP with 4 Blocks.

Collision looking like John Wall.

Indy 8-14 from downtown.

THJr just air balled an uncontested 3, so of course the next possession he chucks a contested 3....

So far....

9-16 for Indy from downtown
3-16 for NY

Horn furious as Stephenson fouls KP but #49 swallows whistle.

15/17 FT for Indy
3/6 Ft for NY

84-72 Indy after 3

KP starts 4th with a monster dunk (set up by a sweet pass from Frank).

Story of this game.... shooting from downtown:

11-19 Indy
3-18 NY

KP 12-20 for 28 points so far. 90-77 Indy with 9 to go.

Uh-oh.... KP scores 15 straight.... blocking shots left and right. 19 point lead cut to 8....

KP with 31 and 5 blocks. He has no help tho...

That's OK tho. Every loss helps with the lottery.

Ntikilina sets up McDermott who bricks a 3 (I thought he could shoot). Would've brought house down.

KP fouled shooting a 3.... makes 2/3....

265 points for KP through first 9 games breaks NYK record (set by Benard King).

Lance Thomas with a vicious dunk. Ntikkina swishes a 3.

92-89 with 6:30 left (15-2 run).

holy smokes, knicks showing some real grit here in the 4th.
french prince with the big 3!

KP blocking and altering shots everywhere.... Ball goes out on Indy but #49 quickly tries to give ball back to Pacers.... he's overruled tho.

THJr had a chance to give JY the lead but he missed FT. Did tie it.

If you watch this game again, just focus on the official with 49 on his back. It's hysterical.

KP 35 points, 7 rebounds and 6 blocks.

KP with the AnD-1.... 38 points and NY finally has a lead.