The Pacers did what they had to do in order to improve their playoff chances on Friday night against the 76ers, but Atlanta's victory over New York kept the Hawks' lead at two games for the East's final spot.

Danny Granger led Indiana to an 85-76 win in Philadelphia, while Joe Johnson starred for the Hawks against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

There are just three games left in the regular season, with Indiana holding the tiebreaker having won the season series (2-1).