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Rejuvenated Knicks defeat Pacers

Mar 17, 2012 - 5:40 AM New York, NY (Sports Network) - Tyson Chandler and J.R. Smith each netted 16 points as the Knicks utilized a balanced offensive attack to take down the Pacers, 115-100, on Friday.

Chandler also had seven rebounds and four blocks, Jeremy Lin donated 13 points and Carmelo Anthony and Steve Novak contributed 12 apiece for New York, which won its second straight game -- both by double-digit margins -- since former head coach Mike D'Antoni resigned.

The Knicks had dropped six in a row before interim coach Mike Woodson took over.

"We're trying to get back in the playoff picture," said Woodson. "We're playing with more urgency now."

Darren Collison led the Pacers with 15 points and A.J. Price added 14 for Indiana, which has lost five of seven.

New York shot 50.6 percent (41-of-81) from the field while holding Indiana to a 39.5 percent (31-of-81) clip. The Knicks began the game on a 21-6 spurt and never looked back, leading wire-to-wire.

It was not all good news for New York, though, as backup point guard Baron Davis exited in the second quarter with a hamstring injury.

New York and Indiana will battle again on Saturday.

"It's great to have a quick turnaround," said Pacers head coach Frank Vogel. "These guys are hurting. The best thing for that is another game, particularly against the team that just did that to you."

The hosts' advantage was as large as 32, at 102-70 midway through the final frame. Indiana finished the contest on a 30-13 flurry, but ran out of time to complete the comeback.

On the back of Chandler's 12 points, New York led 50-31 at halftime.

Game Notes

Anthony was issued a Flagrant 1 foul with 4:06 remaining in the first quarter...New York held a 52-34 advantage in the paint and 23-13 on fastbreaks...The Pacers committed 17 turnovers to the Knicks' 11.