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INDIANA guard Lance Stephenson last season earned a degree of infamy for showing the cut-throat signal to Miami megastar LeBron James during their Eastern Conference semi final, which the Heat then duly wrapped up.

In Indianapolis today, Stephenson made himself memorable by producing his best postseason performance, with 23 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, the Pacers eliminating New York 106-99.

The win made it a 4-2 series success in the Eastern Conference semi final and moved Indiana into its first Conference Final - against those very same Heat - for the first time in nine years.

Stephenson's reason for such a bold game? He wanted to avoid returning to his native New York.

"I just didn't want to go back to New York and play Game 7," Stephenson said.

"Just get it done with now and I'd do whatever it takes to do that today. It showed tonight."

When Pacers' centre Roy Hibbert blocked a dunk attempt by Knicks superstar Carmelo Anthony, Stephenson took a pass from David West and scored on a layup to tie the score 92-92 with 4:51 left.

He followed that with a steal, made a tough driving basket and the bonus free throw.

In terms of momentum swings, Hibbert's block of Anthony - one of his five for the game - was huge.

"That's why they pay me the big bucks this summer, so I have to protect the paint," Hibbert said.

(The big centre signed a $58 million contract last summer.)

"If all else fails, meaning the offence, I have to protect the paint."

That he did and next up now is the re-match with Miami, Game 1 of the Eastern Final in Miami on Thursday.

A year ago, Heat-Pacers in May was everything from that throat-slashing gesture by Stephenson, to violent flagrant fouls from Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough and Heat forward Udonis Haslem, to suspensions for Haslem and Dexter Pittman.

That came after Pacers coach Frank Vogel opened the best-of-seven series accusing the Heat of flopping.

Indiana won their 2012-13 regular season battles 2-1, but not only are the stakes higher, so too the level of competition.

Beating New York was an important step though for Indiana's self-belief, the Knicks at one point in the season looking almost invincible.

Carmelo Anthony scored 39 points and Iman Shumpert had 19 today, but New York shot at just 40 percent and was beaten 43-36 on the boards.

The Knicks were outscored 52-20 in the paint and Anthony scored just four points in the final 12 minutes when he went 2-of-7.

"They have a hell of a defence," he said.

Pacers playmaker George Hill (concussion) was back with 12 points, Paul George had 23 points, five rebounds and four assists, West with 17 points.

Hibbert finished with 21 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks, but none bigger than his Melo reject which changed the course of the contest.