INDIANAPOLIS — The Knicks said they would change their losing ways. They vowed to be the team they were in November, not the one that struggled into the All-Star break, losing four of their last five games. They would smartly pass the ball to one another, make intelligent decisions and play defense. But sometimes, talk can be just that — talk.

For all their promises, the Knicks did no such thing Wednesday night against the Pacers. And they did not take their 125-91 beating with grace, either. They whined to the officials. They argued with one another. At times, they appeared as if they wanted to fight the Pacers.

They allowed the Pacers, a team known for tenacious defense, to score 74 points in the first half, the most the Knicks had given up this season — and that was impressive for all the wrong reasons. The Knicks (32-19) surrendered 71 points each to the Sacramento Kings and the Houston Rockets in road losses. The last time the Knicks gave up 74 points in a half was March 1, 2010, at Cleveland. Not surprisingly, that also resulted in a loss.

The Pacers (33-21) scored 2 fewer points in the first half than the Knicks scored all game (76) when they last visited BankersLife Fieldhouse a month ago.