Well, the NBA only had three games schedule for Thursday, but let’s get right down to it.
Indiana Pacers 81, New York Knicks 76
The Pacers were lead by Paul George, who scored seven of his 25 points during a 13-0 Indiana run in the fourth quarter that was key to getting the win. The Knicks, who were without their superstar forward in Carmelo Anthony because of a suspension, scored a season-low 76 points and shot just 20-percent from long-range (4-20)
After trailing in the last two minutes of the third and early fourth quarter, George ignited a Pacers run that included him having a layup, a slam dunk, a three-pointer by Gerald Green, a 20-footer by Ian Mahinmi, another steal by George and a dunk by Mahinmi. After that, Indiana lead 71-62 and they never looked back.
Dallas Mavericks 117, Sacramento Kings 112
Sacramento was leading by as many as 11 in the 4th quarter, but they couldn’t do anything to stop the Mavericks from getting closer and closer. Even having a three-point lead of their own, that shot by Isaiah Thomas with nine seconds to go gave the Kings a chance to play an extra five minutes, due to Darren Collison missing a jumper with three seconds left in regulation.
Unfortunately for the Kings, they got outscored 16-11 in the extra period and their talented big man in DeMarcus Cousins is probably going to get a call from commissioner David Stern. Cousins, who’s had to face three suspensions already this season, elbowed Vince Carter in the face and was called for a flagrant foul 1 that was later changed to a 2. He was automatically ejected.
Portland Trailblazers 92, Miami Heat 90
The Trail Blazers surprised the Heat in the final eight minutes by outscoring them 24-10. Nicolas Batum lead all scorers with 28, while LaMarcus Aldridge had a double-double with 20 points and 15 rebounds.
But it was Wesley Matthews' pair of three’s in the fourth that helped the Blazers get away with the victory. Matthews hit a triple to tie the game at 88 with 55 seconds to go in the game, and then he made another one with 26 seconds remaining that gave the Blazers a one-point lead just after Chris Bosh’s dunk had Miami winning 90-88.
After being up 91-90, Aldridge got fouled, made only one-of-two from the charity stripe and the Heat had one final chance to win the game. However, Mario Chalmers’ go-ahead three-pointer didn’t go in. LeBron James had 15 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists in the loss.
