Pacers Grind Out Win In Game 6; Boot Out Knicks From Playoffs [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS/POST GAME]

Roy Hibbert and Lance Stephenson each racked up double-doubles as the Indiana Pacers earned a spot in the Eastern Conference finals with a 106-99 win over the New York Knicks in Game 6 of their second-round series at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Saturday, May 18, 2013.

The Pacers are back in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since the post-Reggie Miller era in 2004.

Hibbert, who has been a dominant presence inside in the series, recorded 21 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks over 42 minutes of action. Stephenson chipped in with 25 points and 10 rebounds while the Most Improved Player of the Year winner, Paul George, added 23 markers for Indiana.

After failing to wrap up the series in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden, the Pacers returned to their home court, hoping the crowd would give them a much-needed boost to finish off the Knicks once and for all.

The Pacers nation didn't disappoint a bit as 18,000 yellow-clad fans packed the stadium to cheer for their team in the most crucial game of the series.

Hill, who skipped Game 5 with a concussion, started for the Pacers and tallied 12 points with 5 rebounds in 42 minutes. Aside from his statistical contribution, Hill re-established stability in the Pacers backcourt.

With Hill facilitating the offense, the Pacers took control of the first half and headed to the locker room with an 8-point lead.

Indiana continued to hold a significant lead in the third quarter until second-year shooting guard Imam Shumpert knocked down three treys in a row to spark a 21-11 Knicks run in the closing four minutes of the period.

Locked in another close contest with 12 minutes remaining, Indiana and New York decided to make it a defensive slugfest down the stretch.

Leaning on Chris Copeland and J.R Smith, the Knicks were able to keep within striking distance up to the final five minutes until Stephenson took over in the pivotal sequence of the game.  

Stephenson scored nine of his total points in the last four minutes to deal the final blow on the Knicks playoff campaign.

Anthony fizzled out in the most crucial point of the match, scoring just four of his 39 points in the final period.

Indiana, who shot over 50 percent from the field and smothered the Knicks to 40 percent shooting, reached the Eastern Conference finals in just the third year since elevating Frank Vogel to head coaching role.

Now, the Pacers are in for a much more daunting task as they try to dethrone the defending NBA champion Miami Heat.

Last year, Indiana was able to give the Heat some scare after taking a 2-1 lead in their Eastern Conference semifinals series before bowing out in six games against the champ.

Game 1 of the Pacers-Heat series is set for Wednesday at American Airlines Arena.

Pacers vs. Knicks Game 6 [POST-GAME CONFERENCE] [VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS]