Pacers' Granger sinks slumping Knicks

INDIANAPOLIS -- Carmelo Anthony left too much time on the clock, and the Knicks couldn't get a final stop. Danny Granger's fadeaway with 0.3 of a second left buried the Knicks in a 119-117 loss Tuesday night at Conseco Fieldhouse, completing a home-and-home sweep by Indiana.

It was the fifth time in 12 games since the blockbuster trade for Anthony that the Knicks have allowed more than 110 points.

"That's going to be our Achilles' heel,'' Mike D'Antoni said of the defense. "That's what we're going to have to get better at.''

Shawne Williams spoke with a much greater sense of urgency.

"We've all got to take a good look in the mirror and redefine ourselves and take pride in our defense,'' said Williams, who defended Granger's shot well. "It starts with me. We've got to guard better, we've got to take pride in it.''

Anthony, whose 29 points led the Knicks (34-32), tied it on a layup along the left baseline with 7.8 seconds left. After Granger's basket put the Pacers up by two, Jared Jeffries ignored Anthony's call for the ball on the ensuing inbounds play. Jeffries instead attempted a tip play for Landry Fields that was knocked away at the buzzer.

Anthony appeared annoyed at Jeffries for not giving him the ball and went right to him to make his point.

Anthony said he wanted the ball because Granger was playing well off of him. Technically, Anthony would have been permitted a catch-and-shoot, which is not allowed if there is less than 0.3 of a second left.

But he would have to have been quick, as the Knicks learned when Amar'e Stoudemire's potential game-winner with 0.4 left against the Celtics on Dec. 15 was waved off after replays showed it was released after the buzzer.

"I definitely wanted to try,'' Anthony said. "I was yelling at [Jeffries] as the referee was holding the ball. Just letting him know how far back my man was in the paint. It's over with; it happens.''

Chauncey Billups made an ill-advised pass into the paint to Stoudemire, who couldn't come up with the ball for a costly turnover with 15.3 seconds left. Rookie Paul George came up with the loose ball and was immediately fouled. He hit one of two from the line to put the Pacers ahead 117-115 with 13 seconds left.

On the same day he talked about focusing more on getting teammates involved in the offense, Anthony had only two assists. Stoudemire had 21 points and 10 rebounds but was in foul trouble most of the game. Toney Douglas had 17 points off the bench.

The Knicks have lost three straight and are 6-6 with Anthony. Indiana lost six straight before sweeping the Knicks.

Granger, who didn't play Sunday at the Garden because of strep throat, had 26 points to lead the Pacers (29-38). Forward Tyler Hansbrough recorded a career best for the second straight game against the Knicks, with 30 points and sizzling 12-for-17 shooting.

Darren Collison had 24 points and 7-2 center Roy Hibbert's length was also an issue for the undersized Knicks, as he had 15 points, 12 rebounds and three blocks.