SaturdayIndiana 82-71 New York Pacers lead best-of-seven series 2-1Memphis 87-81 Oklahoma CityGrizzlies lead series 2-1INDIANA. Indiana Pacers claimed 82-71 playoffs win over Number Two seed New York Knicks to take 2-1 series lead, while Memphis Grizzlies ground out 87-81 victory against top-seeded Oklahoma City ThunderThe New York Knicks led for only 76 seconds of Game Three, spent 45 minutes trying to catch up, but were safely kept at a distance by the Indiana Pacers. Indiana went 2-1 ahead in the series with their 82-71 victory.The Pacers took control with a 14-3 run that gave them a 58-44 third-quarter lead, and the Knicks never got closer than eight after that. Game Four is in Indianapolis on Tuesday.Roy Hibbert had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Paul George 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assist to lead the Pacers.Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points for the Knicks. Amare Stoudemire returned but looked rusty going 3 of 8 from the field and finishing with seven points. J.R. Smith scored nine points after missing the morning shootaround because of a fever. He was 4 of 12 from the field.Meanwhile, Kevin Durant may not be able to carry Oklahoma City all the way to the NBA championship series on his own. Durant led OKC in scoring again. He also led in assists, rebounds and steals. But without Russell Westbrook’s offensive production it was not enough to stop the Memphis Grizzlies winning 87-81 to take a 2-1 series lead. Durant’s verdict: “”We did everything but make shots.” Game Four is in Memphis on Monday.
