Karl-anthony Towns scores 40 as Knick’s Top Pacers

Karl-Anthony Towns registered 40 points and 12 rebounds, Josh Hart added a season high 30 points, and New York Knicks beat Indiana Pacers 128-115 on Tuesday in Indianapolis.

Hart also had 10 rebounds and five assists while shooting 12 of 16 from the field. Miles McBride added 15 points for New York, which withdrew clearly in the fourth quarter to win the season series against Indiana 2-1.

New York led by eight early in the fourth quarter before using a 13-5 race to go up 116-100 with 5:41 back on a set up of Hart. Knicks remained in control to win for the eighth time in their last 10 games.

Pascal Siakam led Indiana with 24 points. Bennedict Mathurin scored 18 from the bench, Thomas Bryant had 18 points and nine rebounds, Tyrese Haliburton added 16 points and eight assists, and Ben Sheppard had 12 points.

Bryant started instead of Center Myles Turner, who missed his other straight game with a cervical strain. Indiana shot 29 percent (9 out of 31) from 3-point reach and lost for the third time in his last four games.

New York led 27-26 after a period and spent a 15-3 race late in the second quarter to move on 61-50.

Towns scored 24 points in the first half for Knicks, led 68-60 at break after holding Pacers for 30 percent shooting (6 out of 20) beyond the arch.

New York’s Jalen Brunson was limited to six points in the first half and picked up his fifth error with 8:42 back in the third quarter and Knicks led 74-65.

With Brunson on the bench for the rest of the period, New York maintained his lead and held a 98-88 benefit at the end of the third quarter.

Precious Achiuwa ended with nine points and 12 rebounds for Knicks, while Brunson had eight points on 4-of-11 shooting.

New York played without Frem and Anunoby, who missed his fourth straight battle with a sprained right foot.

-Felt level media