If this year’s NBA All-Star Game was after the midway point of the season, then New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson would probably have lots of votes right about now; Robinson has been on a tear since the All-Star Game, having scored 30 or more points in four of the past six games this month.  In Monday night’s game against the Indiana Pacers, Robinson had another offensive explosion, scoring 41 points; New York would need them all as they got past Indiana 123-119 at Madison Square Garden.

The Knicks would lead by three after the first quarter and was ahead 37-30 halfway through the second period, but the Pacers’ Marquis Daniels scored 10 points in the quarter as both teams went into their respective locker rooms tied at 51-all at halftime.  The Knicks’ Larry Hughes made a layup after a Pacers turnover with 1:36 left in the third quarter, then would drain a 3-pointer with 52 seconds remaining in the period to gain a 90-85 lead.  Robinson would add a trey 24 seconds later and New York would go into the fourth quarter with a 93-87 lead.

A rare 4-point play by Robinson gave the Knicks a 10-point lead in the opening minute of the final period but the Pacers slowly crept back with 5 consecutive points by Jarrett Jack; near the end of the game, the Pacers had one last shot, but after Jeff Foster threw away an inbounds pass which Robinson would track down for a layup, giving the Knicks the lead 121-119 and the game.

New York’s high scorer was Robinson with a season-high 41 points (including 5 three-pointers), 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals while Al Harrington added 27 (including 3 treys) with 7 rebounds and a steal; David Lee chipped in 20 with 13 rebounds and 3 assists while Wilson Chandler poured in 15 with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots.

Indiana was led by Jack with 33 points (including 3 three-pointers), 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals but committed 6 turnovers while Daniels added 28 with 5 rebounds, an assist and 2 steals; Troy Murphy pitched in 19 with 21 rebounds and 4 assists.  New York (24-32) plays again on Wednesday when they host the Orlando Magic while Indiana (24-35) returns home to host the Memphis Grizzlies – also on Wednesday night.