GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: NBA: INDIANA (12-12) at NEW YORK (7-16)

NBA: INDIANA (12-12) at NEW YORK (7-16)

<h3>Knicks hope to have Marbury against Pacers</h3>

Indiana (12-12) at New York (7-16) 7:30 pm EST


NEW YORK (Ticker) -- Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks havestruggled to win games with - and without - point guard StephonMarbury in the lineup.


The Knicks likely will have Marbury back in action Monday whenthey host the Indiana Pacers.


Off to a terrible start in a season filled with controversy bothon and off the court, New York has played five of its lastseven games without Marbury, who has been mourning the death ofhis father.


Marbury's difficult season also has been marred by a one-gamehiatus last month, when he left the team after being demotedfrom the starting lineup.


The only member of the Knicks who has received more criticismthis season than Marbury has been the embattled Thomas, who hasdrawn the ire of fans for his involvement in an embarrassingsexual harassment lawsuit and for his team's dismal play.

However, the Knicks were briefly able to shake off some of thetough times on Saturday with a 94-86 victory over the New JerseyNets, ending a five-game losing streak.


Jamal Crawford scored a season-high 32 points, Eddy Curry shookoff a recent scoring slump with 23 points and Zach Randolphadded 20 points and 13 rebounds for the Knicks, who had falleninto a tie for last place in the Eastern Conference.

With Marbury likely back in the lineup Monday, New York hopesfor another solid all-around performance against the Pacers, whowere coached by Thomas from 2000-2003.


Indiana has alternated wins and losses the last nine games. ThePacers are coming off a 106-103 victory at Miami on Saturday,improving their road record to 7-5.


Jamaal Tinsley scored 26 points and Jermaine O'Neal added 24 forthe Pacers, who have not posted consecutive wins in the monthof December.

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">INDIANA AT NEW YORK - PROBABLE STARTING LINEUPS


INDIANA NEW YORK

F Jermaine O'Neal F Quentin Richardson
F Mike Dunleavy F Zach Randolph
C Troy Murphy C Eddy Curry
G Jamaal Tinsley G Jamal Crawford
G Danny Granger G Fred Jones

OFFICIALS: Ron Garretson
Derrick Collins
David Guthrie</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">INDIANA VS NEW YORK - INACTIVES

INDIANA NEW YORK

PLAYER NAME REASON PLAYER NAME REASON
T DIENER COACH'S DECISION J JAMES KNEE INJURY
S GRAHAM COACH'S DECISION R MORRIS COACH'S DECISION
C SIMS COACH'S DECISION W CHANDLER COACH'S DECISION</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 6
NEW YORK 7 9:06 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 13
NEW YORK 12 5:52 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 20
NEW YORK 20 2:51 LEFT, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 26
NEW YORK 27 END, 1ST QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA END 1ST QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
INDIANA 26 26
NEW YORK 27 27 END 1ST QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 1ST QUARTER

IND - JERMAINE O'NEAL 12, MIKE DUNLEAVY 9,
TROY MURPHY 3
NYK - ZACH RANDOLPH 15, JAMAL CRAWFORD 5, EDDY
CURRY 5</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 28
NEW YORK 29 8:56 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 34
NEW YORK 33 5:35 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 46
NEW YORK 35 3:00 LEFT, 2ND QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 53
NEW YORK 46 HALFTIME</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA HALFTIME 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
INDIANA 26 27 53
NEW YORK 27 19 46 HALFTIME

HIGH SCORERS AT HALFTIME

IND - JERMAINE O'NEAL 18, TROY MURPHY 9, MIKE
DUNLEAVY 9
NYK - ZACH RANDOLPH 22, JAMAL CRAWFORD 9, EDDY
CURRY 9</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 59
NEW YORK 56 9:03 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 64
NEW YORK 62 5:51 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 73
NEW YORK 64 2:56 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 82
NEW YORK 72 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">CORRECTION

NBA INDIANA 84
NEW YORK 72 0:00 LEFT, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA INDIANA 84
NEW YORK 72 END, 3RD QTR</div>

 

NBA: INDIANA at NEW YORK

<div class="pre">NBA END 3RD QTR 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH TOTAL
--- --- --- --- -----
INDIANA 26 27 31 84
NEW YORK 27 19 26 72 END 3RD QTR

HIGH SCORERS AFTER 3RD QUARTER

IND - MIKE DUNLEAVY 31, JERMAINE O'NEAL 20,
TROY MURPHY 12
NYK - ZACH RANDOLPH 24, STEPHON MARBURY 14,
JAMAL CRAWFORD 13</div>