KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS scored 20 of his 24 points in the fourth quarter and collected a game-high 15 rebounds to help the New York Knicks notch a crucial 106-100 victory over the Indiana Pacers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals on Sunday night at Indianapolis.
Jalen Brunson scored 23 points despite six-of-18 shooting but made all 10 free-throw attempts as the Knicks won for the first time in the best-of-seven series. OG Anunoby had 16 points and Mikal Bridges added 15 for third-seeded New York, which recovered from a 20-point, second-quarter deficit.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 20 points and Myles Turner had 19 for Indiana, which opened the series with two road victories. Pascal Siakam had 17 points and TJ McConnell tallied 12 off the bench.
Game 4 is on Tuesday night in Indianapolis.
New York’s comeback was reminiscent of the Eastern Conference semifinals when the Knicks rallied from 20-point deficits in each of the first two games in Boston to earn victories en route to eventually winning the series in six games.
Indiana led most of the game on Sunday but needed two free throws apiece from Turner and Siakam to tie the game at 98 with 1:37 left. Brunson hit a runner 20 seconds later to put New York back ahead.
Josh Hart made two free throws with 19.6 seconds left for the Knicks before Haliburton answered with two foul shots with 9.7 seconds left to pull Indiana within 102-100.
Brunson hit two free throws to make it a four-point margin with 8.1 seconds left, and Hart wrapped it up with two of his own with 2.6 seconds remaining. — Reuters
