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Knicks Defeat Isiah Thomas' Old Team

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 February 2004, 06:00 CST

The satisfaction Isiah Thomas got from the New York Knicks' win over Indiana had nothing to do with any grudge he might be holding against the Pacers.

"It's not about me, it's about the players, and they played well tonight," Thomas said after the Knicks defeated Indiana 97-90 on Tuesday night. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for the Pacers. They're a great team."

Penny Hardaway and Stephon Marbury, two of the players Thomas acquired since taking over as president of the Knicks six weeks ago, made several big plays late to preserve New York's third straight win.

Hardaway scored 14 points, including a jumper with 17.2 seconds left to clinch it, and Marbury had 23 points and eight assists for New York.

Ron Artest had 19 points for the Pacers, who were coached by Thomas the past three seasons. Thomas was fired in August by new team president Larry Bird, and this was his former team's first time playing in his presence since they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last spring.

"There wasn't any talk, but I think we all had it in the back of our minds that this game was extremely important for him - especially with the circumstances that went down in Indiana," said Knicks forward Keith Van Horn, who added 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots.

In other NBA games, it was: Cleveland 85, Detroit 82; Toronto 93, Philadelphia 80; Minnesota 113, Orlando 100; Dallas 107, Golden State 93; and Sacramento 117, Seattle 101.

Van Horn hit a corner jumper with 9:32 remaining in the fourth quarter to put New York up 74-73, a lead they wouldn't relinquish.

After Knicks nemesis Reggie Miller, who had 17 points, made a reverse layup to cut New York's lead to 91-90, Marbury drew a double team that left Kurt Thomas open for an 18-footer that made it 93-90 with 45 seconds left.

Artest missed two free throws with 39.7 seconds left, and New York ran the clock down before Hardaway banked in a 10-footer over Jamaal Tinsley for a 95-90 lead with 17.2 seconds remaining.

Miller missed a 3 from the corner on Indiana's next possession to end the Pacers' final hope, and Thomas watched his Knicks enthusiastically celebrate one of their best victories of the season.

"We're going to remember those guys acting like they won the championship," Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal said. "Hopefully guys on our team have long memories."

Cavaliers 85, Pistons 82

At Auburn Hills, Mich., Cleveland's Carlos Boozer helped make up for LeBron James' poor shooting performance with 21 points and 15 rebounds.

Hours after learning he was passed over for the All-Star game, James shot 5-of-19 for 12 points. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 15 points and Jeff McInnis added 11 points for the Cavaliers, who have won seven of nine.

Chauncey Billups, who missed a 3-pointer just before the buzzer, had 19 points for Detroit. Ben Wallace had 17 rebounds, five blocks and five points.

Raptors 93, 76ers 80

At Philadelphia, Vince Carter had 15 of his 33 points in the fourth quarter for Toronto.

Donyell Marshall added 15 points and 14 rebounds, while Jalen Rose had 13 for the Raptors, who ended a two-game losing skid.

Allen Iverson had 36 points to lead the Sixers, who have lost nine of 11.

Timberwolves 113, Magic 100

At Minneapolis, Kevin Garnett had 30 points and 14 rebounds, and Sam Cassell added 20 points and 10 assists in a win over Orlando.

Latrell Sprewell had 25 points and seven assists for the Timberwolves, who won for the 13th time in 15 games - 13th straight at home.

Tracy McGrady scored 34 points for the Magic, 26 over the second and third quarters.

Mavericks 107, Warriors 93

At Dallas, Michael Finley scored 23 points, reserve Antawn Jamison added 20 points and 12 rebounds and the Mavericks beat Golden State for the 20th straight time.

Steve Nash had 17 points and eight assists for the Mavericks, who ended a two-game skid and have won 10 of 12.

Speedy Claxton and Jason Richardson had 20 points apiece to pace the Warriors, who last beat the Mavericks on April 10, 1999.

Kings 117, SuperSonics 101

At Sacramento, Calif., Brad Miller scored 14 of his 25 points in the third quarter, leading the Kings to their fourth straight win. Sacramento beat Seattle for the second time in four days.

Peja Stojakovic had 26 points for the Kings, while Miller finished with 15 rebounds, five assists, a steal and a block.

Rashard Lewis led Seattle with 25 points, while Ray Allen added 23 points, five rebounds and five assists.

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