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The New York Knicks hosted the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday in what was an important game for both squads, with New York and Indiana checking in at the #6 and #7 seeds in the Eastern Conference, respectively. Naturally, both teams are mindful of that fact.

The Pacers have a go-to guy, Danny Granger, while the Knicks rely on Amare Stoudemire for their late-game heroics.

While the game itself was tightly played throughout the 48 minutes, it took some late-minute scoring by Stoudemire as he scored six of his team’s last 7 points, enabling New York to rally and defeat Indiana 98-92.

While the Pacers outscored the Knicks by two in the opening period, New York bested Indiana 25-23 in the second period, taking a tie for both teams into their respective locker rooms at halftime.

The midway portion of the fourth quarter would provide a scary moment for the Knicks as Danilo Gallinari collided with Brandon Rush. Rush drove for a layup, but missed; as Rush lost his balance, his right shoulder collided with Gallinari’s knee.

As it would turn out, Gallinari would not return; X-rays would turn out to be negative and Knicks reps said that he suffered a sprained left knee and will go in for an MRI on Monday.

The Knicks entered the fourth trailing by three early, but Toney Douglas and Wilson Chandler each drained a 3-pointer to give the Knicks a 90-87 lead.

The Pacers’ James Posey answered back with a trey of his own, but Raymond Felton made one of two free throws to give New York a 91-90 edge. New York closed out the game – and earn the victory – on a pair of layups and a jumper by Stoudemire and a late Felton free throw with just 18.9 seconds left in the game.

Six Knicks players scored in double-digits, led by Stoudemire with a game-high 26 points, along with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks while Gallinari chipped in 19 with 5 rebounds and an assist. Felton added 14 with a rebound and 2 assists.

The Pacers were led by Granger with 25 points, along with 17 rebounds while Darren Collison added 22 (including 3 three-pointers) with 5 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals.

New York (19-14) returns to action on Tuesday when they host the San Antonio Spurs while Indiana (14-18) takes a long rest and play again on Friday when they host San Antonio.