INDIANAPOLIS — Lance Stephenson scored a career-high 28 points Thursday night, Paul George added 25 and the Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks, 117-89.

The Pacers have won nine straight at home, three straight overall and still have the NBA’s best record and the league’s top home record (20-1). Indiana leads idle Miami by four games in the chase for the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

Carmelo Anthony had 18 of his 28 points in the first quarter to lead New York. J.R. Smith, who was benched in two of the previous four games, played 28 minutes and scored 12 points. The Knicks have lost two straight after winning five straight.

Indiana took control with an 11-1 run midway through the second quarter, then closed the first half on a 16-7 run to make it 63-48.

New York never challenged again.

NETS 127, HAWKS 110: Joe Johnson scored 26 of his 29 points in the first half and Andray Blatche added 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead Brooklyn in the fourth regular-season NBA game to be played in London.

Johnson had 15 points in the first quarter, including 11 straight for the Nets (16-22) late in the period.

NOTES

LAKERS: Los Angeles signed guard Manny Harris to a 10-day contract.

Harris is averaging a league-best 30.6 points per game for the Lakers’ D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. He has played 80 NBA games for Cleveland.

THE NBA All-Stars will wear jerseys with sleeves during this season’s midseason celebration in New Orleans.

The NBA All-Star game is scheduled for Feb. 16.

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