NBA

Knicks’ Chandler pumped by Game 2 finish

DUNK-TASTIC: Tyson Chandler came alive in the second half of Game 2, when the Knicks blew out the Pacers with a 23-0 run. (Getty Images)

Midway through the fourth quarter of Game 2 Tuesday night, Carmelo Anthony missed a reverse lay-up.

Tyson Chandler slammed home the rebound, pumping his fist in celebration.

After three ineffective halves against the Pacers to open the series, Chandler’s second-half performance in Game 2 was a promising revelation for the Knicks.

There’s no more pivotal matchup in their Eastern Conference semifinal against the Pacers than Chandler vs. Roy Hibbert at center.

The 7-foot-2 Hibbert has outplayed Chandler, especially in Game 1, after which Mike Woodson called Chandler out. “I thought Hibbert played better tonight,” the coach said. “I’ve got to get Tyson playing better than Hibbert.”

Chandler is not at that point yet, but he finally began emerging in the second half of Game 2.

After posting totals of six points and four rebounds through a game and a half, Chandler racked up six points and three rebounds in the second half of Game 2. All six of his points came on dunks during the Knicks’ 23-0 eruption. Chandler was clearly more active in the second half, which the Knicks sorely need.

“It’s been difficult for me because I’m trying to get my conditioning right, timing right,” said the All-Star, who missed 16 of the season’s final 20 games with a bulging disk in his neck, and lost 10 pounds because of flu symptoms. “I thought I was there in the Boston series, but then realized that I’m not in the conditioning that I thought I was. And also the timing.

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“I feel better, though, every game, and these three days [off] are great for me because it gives me an opportunity to work on my strength as well as my timing and conditioning.”

The Knicks don’t rely on Chandler for scoring, but if Chandler doesn’t score at all, it puts even more of a burden on Anthony, J.R. Smith and Raymond Felton. What the Knicks really need is for Chandler to capably defend Hibbert, rebound, protect the basket and avoid foul trouble.

“I understand that my team needs me to take [Hibbert] out for our success. Or at least make things difficult for him,” he said. “After Game 1, I was very disappointed. I went back, watched the tape a thousand times and understood some adjustments that I could make in Game 2, and they’re gonna be the same for Game 3.

“But in order for my team to have a chance, I’ve got to keep those bigs at bay.”

mark.hale@nypost.com