The Big Three was back together again and, as Carmelo Anthony said, showed how “dangerous” they can be when it matters — in the fourth quarter.
The Knicks arose with a vengeance in the final 17 minutes Tuesday and got an active throwback performance from maligned center Joakim Noah as they rallied from a 15-point third-quarter deficit to beat the Pacers, 118-111, in their Garden return.
The Knicks snapped a three-game losing streak that had rendered their western trip a disappointment while posting their season’s biggest comeback.
Derrick Rose, returning from back spasms, Kristaps Porzingis and Anthony each erupted for 20-plus points for just the second time this season and combined to score 32 of their 34 fourth-quarter points.
“We’re going to need that to take the next step,’’ Anthony said. “That fourth quarter when I got out of the game, KP and Derrick stepped up and took over the game. We’re a dangerous team when we can get guys going like that from different areas. It felt good to have [Derrick] back. We play differently.’’
Anthony, hot from the 3-point line, racked up 35 points, tying his season high, while Rose scored 24 and Porzingis added 21 with three blocks. It’s the first time this season the Knicks won after trailing at the end of the third quarter.
“All of us are capable of doing it — it is not about us three — but getting the team involved,’’ Porzingis said.
Porzingis then took a cautious tone, noting the lackluster performance that carried deep into the third quarter. He said he thinks it’s a bad trend, perhaps reeking of complacency because of the big names on the roster.
“We have to have a better start — got to figure out how not put ourselves in that situation,’’ Porzingis said. “I’m happy we won the game but we can’t win every game like this.
“We are not there yet. We play off of our talent a lot. We need to lock in a little more offensively. We can do a better job on that.’’
Rose made his return after missing almost all of the previous three games and rolled to the hoop early and late — posting a terrifically clutch fourth quarter. Meanwhile, Anthony and Porzingis got rolling late from the 3-point line.
Anthony made 7-of-11 3-pointers and scored 26 of his points in the second half while Porzingis rang up four 3s. The dagger came from Anthony with 3:00 left as he sank a corner 3 for a 114-105 lead after which he uncharacteristically posed.
Each of the Big Three scored double-digit points in the fourth and the Knicks didn’t commit a turnover in the final period.
“I saw Melo was hot, the team did a great job finding Melo and KP,’’ Rose said. “Our energy level in the second half, we played with a lot of energy.
It was a respectable, 30-minute bounce-back night for Noah, who posted a double-double — 11 points and 11 rebounds — and two blocks. The oft-criticized $72 million man played rugged defense in the second half, even with Al Jefferson’s 18 low-post points.
“It was a good win,’’ said Noah, held to 11 minutes in the Denver fiasco. “It felt good, felt good to win tonight.’’
Anthony said his bruised left shoulder that forced him to rest in Golden State last Thursday “feels good now.’’
“Carmelo was unbelievable today,’’ Porzingis said.
Coach Jeff Hornacek admitted concern coming back from a tough five-game trip with a quick turnaround game. The Knicks landed at 5 a.m. Sunday from Denver and Hornacek noticed his team looking “tired’’ at Monday’s practice and it played poorly, trailing by 15 with 4:55 left in the third.
Late in the third, Kyle O’Quinn sparked the Knicks, making a nifty steal on Jeff Teague to spring Justin Holiday for a fast-break dunk. They were on their way.
“We’re trying to win three straight,’’ Hornacek said, as the Knicks head into Christmas with this three-game homestand.
One down, two to go.