The Knicks are even being burned by erroneous guarantees attributed to them. The Pacers were pumped by an inaccurate rumor that center Eddy Curry guaranteed a Knicks' victory during yesterday's morning shoot-around.

A reporter who missed a deathly boring Curry interview was told jokingly that Curry had guaranteed a victory over the Pacers. Though the group of journalists laughed, somebody present apparently told the Pacers that Curry had guaranteed a win. And they apparently used it as motivation.

"We did talk about it," Pacers' center Jermaine O'Neal said. "You know I'm not gonna lie. We all thought it as strange especially being so early in the season and especially the team struggling, but I'm not going to knock him because they may need that type of spark."

Memo to Pacers: Curry didn't say anything close.