KNICKS KNOCK OUT ANOTHER ONE : NEW YORK 90 INDIANA 82.

Byline: Selena Roberts The New York Times

There was the final buzzer and the signal to rejoice over the impossible. The once-fractured and disjointed New York Knicks - a team that treated adversity and misfortune like emotional allies right though Friday night's game - grabbed onto each other and danced on the court like kids bouncing on box springs.

They were on air after winning Game 6 of their Eastern Conference finals against the Indiana Pacers 90-82 Friday night to win the series, 4-2, and advance to the NBA Finals that start Wednesday at San Antonio.

They accomplished what seemed unthinkable for a team that was mired in turmoil and on the verge of missing the playoffs in late April. And what seemed improbable for a team that lost its superstar, Patrick Ewing, to injury last week. And what appeared bleak when the Game 3 hero, Larry Johnson, left Friday night's game with a sprained knee midway through the second quarter.

But as Madison Square Garden witnessed Friday night, nothing is impossible for the Knicks on a journey that has been abetted by good karma and inspired by the play of Marcus Camby. On this night, his partner in producing another kind of miracle - a victory without Johnson - was Allan Houston.

Camby scored 15 points and had eight rebounds, while Houston poured in 32 points.

``Our guys have responded all year, and today I'm really proud of them,'' said coach Jeff Van Gundy, who rushed onto the court at the final buzzer and jumped into Houston's arms. ``This was about great, great play by a team that has developed itself into a true team and one that fought hard and played just to win.''

When it ended, Chris Childs flung the ball into the stands, the rest of the Knicks celebrated at center court and Madison Square Garden kept rocking for several minutes.

Camby's defensive presence was only topped by the offense Houston came up with to counter whatever the Pacers could generate on a night when Miller could not muster a big shot. Miller shot 3 for 18 with just eight points.

New York advances to its first NBA Finals since 1994, becoming the first eighth-seeded team ever to get that far. But the Knicks may have to go against the Spurs' David Robinson and Tim Duncan without two of their best big men.

Johnson sprained a knee ligament and had to be carried off the court, and Ewing is already out for the season after tearing his Achilles' tendon in Game 2 of the Indiana series.

Johnson's absence - the Knicks said he was day-to-day with a knee sprain - could leave the Knicks with just four big men - Chris Dudley, Kurt Thomas, Camby and 41-year-old Herb Williams - with which to face the Spurs.

``It's very frustrating,'' Ewing said of sitting out with the injury. ``I wish I was able to play and help my teammates. I want to take part in the celebration.''

Led by Houston, who was hitting jumpers from all angles and driving to the basket with a vengeance, the Knicks hit 10 of their first 13 shots of the fourth quarter and wrapped it up from the foul line in the final minute.

San Antonio vs. New York

Game 1 - Wednesday

6 p.m., Channel 4

CAPTION(S):

Photo, 2 Boxes

Photo: (Color) The Knicks' Marcus Camby celebrates during the fourth quarter of Game 6 against Indiana.

Ron Frehm/Associated Press

Box: (1) KNICKS 90 PACERS 82

(2) 1999 NBA PLAYOFFS AT A GLANCE