New York, NY (Best E Casino) - Kareem Rush scored 24 points and grabbed seven rebounds off the bench, scoring two key baskets late in regulation as the Indiana Pacers held on for a 103-100 win over the New York Knicks.

Jamal Crawford had a chance to tie the game with a three-pointer at the buzzer, but put up an airball, and the Knicks fell to their seventh straight loss.

Mike Dunleavy scored 17 points, doled out nine assists, and grabbed seven rebounds for the Pacers, who snapped their own seven-game skid. Danny Granger scored 16 points, and Troy Murphy added 15 points and seven rebounds for the Pacers.

"We feel good. This locker room is really excited about ending that streak," Rush said.

Zach Randolph led the Knicks with 26 points and nine rebounds, and Crawford finished with 21 points and seven assists. Eddy Curry scored 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds, and Renaldo Balkman had seven points and a season-high 12 boards.

A Balkman putback pushed the Knicks lead to 86-79 with 8:19 left in regulation, and it appeared that New York was headed for a victory. Rush answered with a jumper, however, and later put in a three-pointer that cut the New York lead to 90-87.

Fred Jones made two free throws to put the Knicks ahead by five with 5:25 left, but the Pacers took control with seven straight. Marquis Daniels tied the game at 92-92 with a three, and added two free throws to put the Pacers on top with 3:30 left.

Randolph answered with a three-point play to put the Knicks back on top, 95-94, but a Jeff Foster dunk followed by two Rush baskets boosted the Pacers to a 100-95 lead with 1:22 remaining.

Trailing by six in the final minute, a Crawford three that banked in gave the Knicks one last chance. Balkman blocked a Granger layup at the other end, but with the Knicks out of timeouts, Crawford couldn't set up a play, and was forced to take an off-balance shot. The ball fell short of the rim, and the Pacers survived.

"It's tough. (The fourth quarter has) been the moment when we pretty much lost the game," Curry said. "We do a good job now of coming out and making that first initial push. We have moments during the game where we don't do too well, and other teams capitalize on that."

The game was neck-and-neck throughout. The teams were tied at 55-55 at the half, and the Knicks held a 77-75 edge entering the final 12 minutes.

"We've been struggling a little bit closing out games in the fourth," Rush said. "We buckled down, and knew we needed a strong defensive effort in the fourth to get a win."

Game Notes

Plaxico Burress and R.W. McQuarters were among a group of the world champion New York Giants in attendance...The Knicks outrebounded the Pacers, 49-34...There were 28 lead changes and 26 ties.