INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Jermaine O’Neal had 27 points and 11 rebounds and Ron Artest added 21 points in the NBA-leading Indiana Pacers’ 93-70 victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday night.

The Pacers (13-2) used an 18-2 run in the third quarter to pull away for their seventh straight victory.

O’Neal helped put the game away with 4:37 to play in the third, hitting a hook shot in the lane to give Indiana a 69-50 lead.

The star forward, who apologized after criticizing Pacers fans for booing earlier in the season, slapped hands with several fans after hitting the shot.

Kurt Thomas had 12 points and nine rebounds for the Knicks, who lost for the first time in four games. New York was coming off a 97-92 victory in Minnesota on Wednesday night.

The Pacers scored 27 points off 24 Knicks turnovers and held their opponent under 79 points for the eighth time in nine games. They came into the game leading the NBA in fewest points allowed, with

opponents averaging 81.4 points.

The Knicks shot just 35 percent from the field in scoring a season-low 70 points. Frank Williams was the only other New York player in double figures, finishing with 11 points.

The Pacers relied heavily on their two biggest offensive stars.

O’Neal jump-started the Pacers with 12 points and four rebounds in the first quarter, and Artest took over in the second with 11 points and two steals to lead the Pacers to a 52-40 halftime lead.

The Pacers didn’t turn the ball over until the 8:50 mark of the second quarter and had just three turnovers in the half.

O’Neal, who has struggled with back injuries this season, played just three quarters. Artest also had five steals.

Notes: Pacers G Jamaal Tinsley was not in uniform because of a sore lower back

… The Pacers wore throwback jerseys, dating to their 1971-72 and ’72-73 ABA championship teams. … After getting season highs with 18 points and 17 rebounds against the Timberwolves on Wednesday night, Knicks center Dikembe Mutombo had eight points and eight rebounds against the Pacers. … The Knicks shooting woes did not extend to the free-throw line, where they were a perfect 20-for-20.