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Carmelo Anthony (34 points) made a game-winning jumper with 4.9 seconds left before blocking a Danny Granger shot as the New York Knicks edged the Indiana Pacers 110-109.

To illustrate how far the New York Knicks have come, for the sake of repitition, the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups to the Knicks has paid this team dividends.

But to be fair here, the Philadelphia 76ers have come a long way themselves, but without the blockbuster trades.

The Knicks, with a 6-game win streak in hand prior to their game against the Indiana Pacers Sunday night, needed a victory so they could remain ahead of the Sixers im terms of playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference. The Pacers, on the other hand, have the #8 spot sewn up and will likely face the Chicago Bulls in the first round of the playoffs.

Arguably the best game of the NBA Sunday schedule, both teams exchanged several leads, but it took a game-winnig jumper and block from Carmelo Anthony to give New York the hard-earned 110-109 win voer Indiana at Conseco Fieldhouse, boosting the Knicks to the #6 seed in the East.

New York played this game without the help of Amare Stoudemire, who was out with an ankle injury.

The Pacers, down by six at the intermission, outscored the Knicks 35-20 in the third quarter to open a nine-point lead. Roy Hibbert’s jumper gave Indiana a 93-87 lead and A.J. Price’s 3-pointer at the horn pout the Pacers ahead 96-87 going into the fourth.

New York, trailing by 11 early in the final period, used a 10-0 run to cut their deficit to 98-97. Danny Granger’s trey and Josh McRobert’s runner ended the Knicks’ spurt and helped Indiana regain some momentum.

The Pacers extended their lead to 109-103 with 3:31 left to go, but New york scored the next five points – including Landry Fields’ dunk with 39 seconds remaining, to get to within 109-108.

After Darren Collison missed a jumper on the Pacers’ ensuing possession, the Knicks got the ball back with just 13 ticks left on the game clock. Anthony got the ball, made a couple of moves, then swished the game-winner with 4.9 seconds left.

Anthony led the Knicks with a game-high 34 points (including six 3-pointers), along with 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks while Billups added 21 with 3 rebounds, 7 assists and a steal. Toney Douglas came off the bench to chip in 14 with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.

The Pacers were led by Granger with 20 points (including four treys), along with 6 rebounds and 3 assists while Hibbert added 19 with 10 rebounds, 4 assists and a block. Collison chipped in 16 with 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a block.

New York (42-38) plays again on Tuesday when they host the Chicago Bulls while Indiana (37-44) plays their last game of the regular season, travelling to Orlando to take on the Magic on Wednesday night.