INDIANAPOLIS – Stephen Jackson scored 28 points and Peja Stojakovic added 23 to help the Indiana Pacers beat the Knicks 101-82 last night to improve their chances of making the playoffs and snap the Knicks’ winning streak at three games.

Austin Croshere added 17 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers (37-40) moved into a tie for the sixth position in the Eastern Conference.

Jamal Crawford led the Knicks with 26 points and seven assists, but no other Knicks player scored more than 12 points.

Indiana had lost eight of 10 and lost 98-73 at Detroit on Sunday, but the Pacers outrebounded the Knicks 40-31 and held them to 38% shooting in the second half.

Indiana’s perimeter shooters allowed the Pacers to overcome an off night from Jermaine O’Neal. The team’s leading scorer, O’Neal didn’t make a basket until the fourth quarter and was held to 10 points after scoring 25 against the Knicks last Friday.

New York’s Channing Frye, Jalen Rose, Quentin Richardson, and Stephon Marbury all missed the game with injuries.

Crawford’s fallaway jumper with a half-second remaining gave New York a 98-96 win over Indiana last Friday. Crawford never got the chance last night after the Pacers took control for good in the third quarter.

Indiana led 48-46 at halftime, but New York took a quick 57-52 lead after three Crawford baskets. The Pacers closed the quarter on an 11-0 run to take a 72-62 lead into the final period.

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ANOTHER INJURY FOR WEBBER

Philadelphia Forward Chris Webber sat out the 76ers’ game against the Washington Wizards last night with a lower back strain.

Point guard Kevin Ollie also didn’t play for the Sixers because of a right quadriceps strain. John Salmons took his spot in the lineup. Webber, averaging 20.3 points and 9.9 rebounds, has missed two straight games.

For the Wizards, guard Caron Butler missed his third straight game because of a sprained right thumb, but center Etan Thomas returned after missing one game with lower back pain.