New York Knicks play against Indiana Pacers during the NBA regular season in New York, Nov 20, 2013. [Calvin Zhou / China Daily USA]

The Indiana Pacers came out ice cold against a revenge-minded New York Knicks team on Wednesday but showed their class and put the NBA on notice with a hot finish that produced another notch in the win column.

Indiana missed their first seven shots and fell 13-0 behind a Knicks team eliminated from last year's playoffs by the Pacers, and which had lost their last four home games in struggling to a disappointing 3-7 start this season.

The Pacers refused to fold and worked their way back to force overtime at Madison Square Garden and win going away, 103-96, behind a spectacular finish by forward Paul George.

Indiana, who last year battled champions Miami Heat to seven games in the Eastern Conference finals, improved to a joint NBA-best 10-1 record as they bounced back from their first loss of the season on Saturday to the Chicago Bulls.

"Heck of a win for our guys," Pacers coach Frank Vogel told reporters.

"Grind it out kind of game. The offense wasn't really flowing, but our defense buckled down. I'm proud to get a 'W' (win).

"Paul George was sensational, not only carrying the offensive load the way he did, but covering Carmelo Anthony for basically 48 minutes. I don't know where he finds the energy but it's special."

Anthony led the Knicks with 30 points and pulled down 18 rebounds but it was not good enough to hold off the talented Pacers.