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Anthony, Knicks vie to stay hot at Indiana

Apr 10, 2011 - 3:05 PM (Sports Network) - Carmelo Anthony and the surging New York Knicks are closing in on capturing the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference and will wrap up a three-game road trip tonight against the Indiana Pacers at Conseco Fieldhouse.

New York has ripped off six straight wins since a six-game slide and sits just a half-game in front of Philadelphia for the No. 6 spot in the conference standings with three games remaining. The playoff-bound Knicks are coming off Friday's 116-93 drubbing of New Jersey behind Anthony's team-high 25 points and 14 rebounds. Anthony has scored 20 or more points in 11 straight games, averaging 28.4 ppg in that stretch.

"I'm not used to getting cheers on the road. It's been great." Anthony said.

Chauncey Billups shook off a right thigh bruise to record 22 points, while Toney Douglas, Shawne Williams and Bill Walker finished with 10 apiece for the Knicks, who won eight straight games this season from Nov. 28-Dec. 12. The Knicks took all four games from the Nets in 2010-11 to sweep the series for the first time since the 1998-99 campaign (3-0).

The Knicks will host Chicago before visiting Boston next week to close out the 2010-11 regular season. They are 18-21 on the road -- the most road victories since going 18-23 in the 2000-01 campaign. New York hasn't won 19 road games in a season since a 26-15 mark as the guest in 1996-97.

Knicks power forward Amare Stoudemire did not play Friday night because of a left ankle injury and is expected to miss Sunday's game. Stoudemire is averaging 25.4 points and 8.2 rebounds in his first season with New York.

Indiana is in the playoffs for the first time since the 2005-06 season and will be the conference's No. 8 seed. That means they have a first-round date with the Chicago Bulls when the postseason kicks off next week.

The Pacers have won two in a row and five of six games, and will close out a three-game homestand Sunday night. They recorded their fifth straight win at home with Friday night's 114-102 triumph over the Atlanta Hawks, as Danny Granger scored 28 points and Darren Collison finished with 16 and 10 assists for Indiana, which improved to 24-16 as the host.

"These are important games and we want to work on some things," said Pacers forward Roy Hibbert, who had 14 points and 11 rebounds. "We were aggressive right from the start."

Tyler Hansbrough chipped in 13 points in a winning effort. Indiana will close out the regular season at Orlando on Wednesday.

Indiana has won two of three meetings with New York this season and three of the previous four matchups in the series. The Knicks haven't fared too well in the Hoosier State lately, losing 14 of the past 19 contests there.