NBA Game Summary - Indiana at New York

New York, NY (Basketball News) - Stephen Jackson scored 33 points to lead the Indiana Pacers over the New York Knicks, 97-79, in Reggie Miller’s final career game at Madison Square Garden.

Miller finished with only 13 points on 3-of-15 shooting, but it was his past performances at the Garden that made him one of the most hated villains in Knicks history.

Late in the fourth quarter, the Garden crowd that remained began chanting "Reggie, Reggie" in tribute to his 17-year career.

"There were a few ’sucks’ in there, don’t be fooled," Miller said about the chants.

"I felt the respect has always been there," Miller added regarding the relationship he has with Knicks fans. "It has always been a love-hate relationship. I didn’t know what kind of reception I would get, but I appreciate all the signs and kind cheers."

After the final buzzer he met New York filmmaker and Knicks’ season ticket holder Spike Lee on the court and the two embraced in a hug. It was Miller and Lee who embarked in the infamous trash talking session during the Knicks-Pacers playoff series in 1995, in which Miller got the best of Lee and the Knicks.

"A lot of things have been said between Spike and myself," Miller added. "I have always said there needs to be more people in other arenas like Spike. He is here when the team is good and more importantly he is here when the team is bad."

Jackson hit 12-of-22 shots from the floor, including 6-of-10 from three, as the Pacers have won four in a row and six of eight to move into sole possession of sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Indiana entered the night tied for sixth with Cleveland, but the Cavs lost to the Nets across the Hudson River in New Jersey to fall into the seventh spot.

Stephon Marbury had 19 points to lead the Knicks, who have dropped seven in a row and are a far cry from what they were when the rivalry with the Pacers was at its pinnacle in the mid-90s. New York is just 29-44 this season and will miss the postseason for the fourth straight season.

The Knicks hung with the Pacers through the first two quarters, but things began to go south in the second half.

After a Jamal Crawford three-pointer at the buzzer sent the Knicks into the break down by only six points, 56-50, Indiana began to pull away in the third.

Ahead 58-54 2 1/2 minutes into the half, the Pacers went on a 15-3 run to build a double-digit lead. Jackson spearheaded the run scoring the final 13 points, which gave Indiana a 73-57 cushion with 4:05 remaining.

Jackson hit three treys during the surge and later hit his fourth three- pointer to end the quarter with 17 points, as the Pacers went into the fourth with a 79-66 advantage.

New York continued to struggle in the fourth, scoring only 13 points as the Pacers went ahead by as many as 20 points.

"We had shots, open shots and missed them," said New York head coach Herb Williams. "They came out and wanted it more and it showed. They were the more aggressive team."