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Robinson takes over as Knicks top Pacers

Feb 24, 2009 - 6:07 AM NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Nate Robinson showed the Madison Square Garden crowd what "shake and bake" looks like on a basketball court.

Robinson scored 32 of his 41 points in the second half and took over down the stretch to lead the New York Knicks to a 123-119 victory over the Indiana Pacers on Monday.

Al Harrington added 27 points and David Lee chipped in 20 and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who have won three of four.

"We got key stops at the end and obviously Nate's play was unbelievable throughout the whole

third and fourth quarter," Lee said. "Anytime he plays like that, he's tough to stop when he's being aggressive."

Comedian Will Ferrell was sitting courtside and yelling the catch phrase "shake and bake" from his movie "Talladega Nights" at Robinson on his way down court. Robinson, who knows Ferrell from an appearance they did together on the Today show, slapped hands with the actor after more than one of his key baskets.

"You have no idea. He's going to get my jersey and everything," Robinson said of Ferrell. "It's pretty cool and I'm a great fan and I watch all his movies."

Robinson, who tied a franchise record for points off the bench, scored the final eight points for New York, giving the team the lead for good when he picked off an inbounds pass and streaked down the court for a layup with 26 seconds remaining to make it 121-119.

"I knew Jarrett Jack was trying to come in and screen and pop out and I just denied him and was watching," Robinson said. (Jeff Foster, who was throwing the inbounds pass) overthrew him and I ran and got the ball. I was like 'he's not stopping me from getting the lay-up.' I knew this was a bucket that we needed."

After Troy Murphy was called for traveling on the Pacers' next possession, Robinson knocked down a pair of free throws to provide the winning margin.

"(Robinson) was terrific," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "Tonight, when we lacked energy and lacked focus, it seemed like at the beginning he really picked it up and he did a terrific job."

The diminutive Robinson picked his team up after a sluggish first half left the score tied, 51-51. Robinson scored 14 points in the third and completed a four-point play to open the fourth, stretching the Knicks' lead to 97-87.

"We picked up our energy in the second half and this was a game we needed," Robinson said. "I knew I had to bring the energy. I could not do it without my teammates. We came out real strong (after the break)."

Indiana chipped away and tied it, 106-106, on Brandon Rush's 3-pointer with 5:45 to play. But Robinson scored 12 points over the final 4:09 to help New York hold off the late charge.

"He has probably been playing the best basketball this particular month," Indiana guard Jarrett Jack said of Robinson. "I'm sure he will get named Eastern Conference Player of the Week. He is on a dramatic tear since the All-Star break and he just had another great performance."

The Pacers committed 19 turnovers and had their chance to take the lead at the end thwarted when Wilson Chandler blocked Rush's jumper in the lane with 32 seconds left.

Jack led with 33 points and Murphy collected 19 points and 21 rebounds for the Pacers, who were without top scorers Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy and T.J. Ford.

"It's been frustrating at times not being able to get as many wins as would have liked," Murphy said. "We've had a lot of injuries, which has really kind of put us behind the eight ball, but we've felt like we should be right in the playoff mix and injuries have really hurt us."