Winning streaks on the line in Indiana

The Pacers won their sixth straight game Tuesday night, beating Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves, 98-75, at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Ron Artest collected 20 points, eight rebounds and five assists to power the Pacers over the T-Wolves.

Jermaine O’Neal chipped in 17 points and nine boards for Indiana, which has won 11 of its last 12 games and, at 12-2, holds the best record in the Eastern Conference.

Reggie Miller added 13 points and five assists for the Pacers, who shot 49 percent (42-of-86) from the floor and outrebounded Minnesota by a 49-37 margin. Kenny Anderson scored 11 points and Jeff Foster contributed 10 points and nine boards for Indiana.

The Pacers improved to 4-0 versus the Western Conference.

Indiana is 5-2 at home this season.

The Knicks come into tonight’s contest after winning their third in a row on Wednesday night.

Dikembe Mutombo scored 18 points and hauled down 17 rebounds, as the Knicks beat the Minnesota Timberwolves, 97-92, at the Target Center.

Allan Houston and Frank Williams scored 17 points for the Knicks, while Charlie Ward had a solid game at point, contributing 10 points with eight assists. Ward only turned the ball over once.

Houston made six of his final seven shots, as the Knicks rallied for the win.

New York was down by as many as nine points with under six minutes left in the game. Led by Houston, the Knicks went on a 13-1 run to take the lead 88-85. During the run, Houston accounted for seven of the Knicks 13 points.

Sam Cassell kept the game close for the Wolves, as he drained a deep shot to close the gap to 94-92 with 37 seconds left, but the Knicks and Houston answered right back. Houston’s jumper with 17 seconds left sealed the game.

New York forward Keith Van Horn, who has missed the last five contests, is doubtful with a sprained ankle. The last time Van Horn was on the court was November 17th against the Celtics.

The Knicks, who have lost five straight and 11 of their last 12 at Indiana, are 3-5 on the road.

Indiana won an earlier meeting this season with Knicks. The Pacers took home a 95-94 win 12 days ago at Madison Square Garden

Overall, the home team has won seven of the last nine meetings between the two squads. The Pacers have won three in a row and five of the last six meetings with the Knicks.