Pacers snatch first win from Knicks in crazy finish

The Indiana Pacers earned an improbable 138-135 overtime win at the New York Knicks on Wednesday in the Eastern Conference Finals opener in the NBA.

The Knicks, led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, who scored 43 and 35 points respectively, were up 119-105 with less than three minutes to go with their Madison Square Garden crowd practically celebrating the victory.

But a succession of four straight 3-pointers by forward Aaron Nesmith (30 points) got Indiana back in the game and allowed Tyrese Haliburton (31) to force overtime with a fading jumper that hit off the back of the rim, went straight up and dropped back into the basket.

The exchange of baskets continued in an evenly matched overtime that went to the visiting side after a turnover by Brunson that was determined via video replay.

Reserve center Obi Toppin, a former Knicks player, sealed the Pacers' victory with a fierce dunk with 15 seconds left.

Indiana now leads the Eastern Conference Finals, 1-0, and on Friday will try to scratch out another win in the second game of the best-of-seven series.