RIVERS COMES THROUGH FOR KNICKS AT THE FINISH

New coach Tom Thibodeau expects the New York Knicks to play tough and physical.

He also knows a veteran like Austin Rivers can help show his young team how it’s done.

Rivers made the go-ahead 3pointer with 3:23 to play and added another clutch basket during the game-sealing run Saturday night to help the Knicks record a rare 106-102 victory over host Indiana.

“I think the experience is huge and it gives us another guy who can put the ball on the f loor,” Thibodeau said. “He can make 3s, he can play defense and I think that’s the way the league is going right now. I thought he made big shots, big plays and he’s still working his way through the conditioning piece of it.”

Rivers missed New York’s first four games with a groin injury before returning to the lineup Thursday. Two nights later, he made an impact.

Less than two weeks after the Knicks lost to Indiana for the ninth time in 10 meetings, by a 14-point margin, Rivers helped them find a way to rebound.

No, he wasn’t the team’s top scorer. That honor belonged to RJ Barrett, who had 25 points. And, no, Rivers didn’t have a second straight double-double. That was Julius Randle, who had 13 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.

But Rivers was effective inside and outside, and his teammates took the cue by following their coach’s calling card. New York outrebounded Indiana 51-32, with the Pacers grabbing just five offensive rebounds.

Pelicans 120, Raptors 116: Eric Bledsoe capped a 19-point, 10-assist performance with a go-ahead 3pointer in the final minute, and New Orleans held on to beat visiting Toronto. Brandon Ingram added 31 points, capped by four free throws in the last 13 seconds to seal the victory. Zion Williamson scored 21 points.

76ers 127, Hornets 112: Joel Em biid had 19 points and 14 rebounds and Tobias Harris scored 24 points to lead host Philadelphia over Charlotte. Ben Simmons had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists to help the Sixers beat the Hornets for the 12th straight time.

Thunder 108, Magic 99: Darius Bazley had a season-high 19 points, George Hill scored 13 of his 18 points in the third quarter and visiting Oklahoma City beat Orlando for its second road victory of the season. Shai Gilgeous-alexander added 16 points, seven assists and five rebounds for OKC.

Rockets 102, Kings 94: John Wall scored 28 points and host Houston beat Sacramento despite playing without an injured James Harden (ankle). De’aaron Fox had 23 points for the Kings, who lost to the Rockets for the second straight game.

Cavaliers 96, Hawks 91: Collin Sexton scored 27 points, Andre Drummond had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Cleveland wiped out a 15-point deficit in the third quarter and beat host Atlanta. Javale Mcgee finished with 14 points for the Cavaliers.

DOUG MCSCHOOLER AP Knicks guard RJ Barrett (9), who had a team-high 25 points, drives to the basket as Pacers forward Myles Turner tries to block his shot during the second half Saturday in Indianapolis.