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O'Neal, Pacers host Curry, Knicks

Dec 15, 2006 - 3:03 PM New York (9-15) at Indiana (12-12) 7:00 pm EST

INDIANAPOLIS (Ticker) -- Jermaine O'Neal and the Indiana Pacers are proving they can tangle with anyone in the Eastern Conference - as long as they have a full roster.

The Pacers aim for their sixth straight home win when they meet the New York Knicks on Friday.

Playing without three starters, Indiana looked lost in Monday's 106-91 loss at Chicago. O'Neal missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury. Al Harrington (stomach virus) and Stephen Jackson (suspension) also missed the game at Chicago.

The trio returned to the lineup Wednesday and sparked the Pacers to a 101-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons, who entered with the best record in the Central Division.

O'Neal scored 26 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, Harrington scored 16 and Jackson chipped in 14 for Indiana, which improved to 7-2 at home this season.

While the Knicks were shaky during their recent six-game homestand, Eddy Curry continued the most consistent stretch of his career.

Often criticized for his not fulfilling his potential, Curry has been outstanding over the last 11 games, averaging 24.9 points and 9.3 rebounds in that span.

Curry scored 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds on Wednesday to lead New York to a 94-82 triumph over Atlanta.

Jared Jeffries scored 15 points in his second game of the season while Stephon Marbury added 13 points and six assists for the Knicks, who went 3-3 on the homestand.