New York Knicks launch Phil Jackson era with seventh straight win
New York thump visiting Pacers as fans give new team president a standing ovation - twice
Long after Phil Jackson had acknowledged the cheering fans with a thumbs-up and then a wave, there was one more standing ovation inside Madison Square Garden.
This one went to the Knicks and it was a far cry from the way they were treated at home earlier this season.
Carmelo Anthony scored 34 points as New York opened the Jackson era by beating the Indiana Pacers 92-86 for a season-high seventh straight victory.
Bringing Phil back is huge for this franchise ... We've dug a hole and we're trying to dig our way out of the hole
With their new team president watching from a midcourt seat, the Knicks dominated the first half, then pulled away after the Eastern Conference leaders got untracked in the second.
"With a guy like that around it creates a winning mentality, it creates an atmosphere that's pretty golden and we've got to capitalise on that," 31-year-old Knicks forward Amare Stoudemire said.
Fans stood for Jackson in the first quarter and were on their feet again in the final minute as the Knicks beat the team that knocked them out of the play-offs last year.
"There's energy in the city. Bringing Phil back is huge for this franchise I think," coach Mike Woodson said.
"But I've got to give a lot of credit to those guys in the locker room too because, again, we're battling. We've dug a hole and we're trying to dig our way out of the hole."