The New York Knicks (32-49) will take on the Indiana Pacers (43-37) on Tuesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
The Knicks will finish their 2015-16 campaign on Tuesday, one which sees them miss the playoffs for the third straight season. They look to end the year on a high note after suffering a 93-89 loss to the Raptors on Sunday. Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points (7-16 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 6-6 FT) while adding six rebounds, three assists and a block in 25 minutes. The Knicks will be without rookie Kristaps Porzingis, Jose Calderon, and Lance Thomas on Tuesday, who have all been ruled out with injuries. Porzingis has been one of the lone bright spots for the Knicks all season, as he is likely to be the runner-up for Rookie of the Year behind Karl-Anthony Towns. The Latvian sensation established himself as a potential franchise cornerstone for the Knicks, averaging 14.3 points (on 42.1% shooting), 7.3 rebounds, 1.9 blocks, 1.3 assists, and 1.1 three-pointers over 28.4 minutes in 72 games this season.
The Pacers still have two games remaining in the regular season and plenty to play for. Indiana still has a chance to move up in the Eastern Conference standings, which would mean avoiding a first-round match with the top seeded Cavaliers. Head coach Frank Vogel isn't expected to rest his starters on Tuesday night with so much on the line, although the idea has been floating around. The Pacers are coming off a 129-105 victory over the Nets on Sunday. George Hill managed 18 points (6-10 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 2-2 FT), five rebounds, four assists, and one steal in 21 minutes. Rookie Myles Turner totaled 28 points (11-17 FG, 6-7 FT), 10 rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal across 26 minutes off the bench. The Pacers will look for their seventh straight win over the Knicks, which would include a two-year season sweep.
