The Chicago Bulls almost gambled away a big lead, but beat the New York Knicks 119-115 at Madison Square Garden. In the last quarter only their three best players scored.
New York Knicks (11-11) – Chicago Bulls (15-8) 115:119 (BOXSCORE)
With 18 points at 6/7 each from the field and from the free throw line, Demar DeRozan took the moves in the fourth quarter after the Bulls had lost a lead of 21 points. Nikola Vucevic and Zach LaVine each contributed 6 points in the final section, including LaVine’s two free throws to lead 113: 111 with about 54 seconds to play.
Derrick Rose tried unsuccessfully to answer from the three-point line, then DeRozan made the decision close to the ring and sank four free throws to secure victory. With a total of 34 points (12/19 FG) he was the top scorer of the game, he also collected 6 rebounds and played 3 assists in 2 turnovers.
Vucevic (5/9 3P) and LaVine (3/6) lined up with 27 points each, no other Bull scored more than 8 points. With Lonzo Ball that was not because he held back in the selection of throws against New York, but only 3 of his 14 field throws (2/10 3P) found their target, Ball made more useful with 6 assists and 3 blocks.
For the Knicks, Julius Randle put on 30 points in the absence of the sick RJ Barrett with good odds of 14/21 FG and also shone with 12 rebounds (4 on the offensive board), 6 assists and 2 blocks, but one of his 7 turnover led to the LaVine’s free throws for a late lead in the final minute. Evan Fournier (4/10 3P, 4 steals), Alec Burks (3/10 FG, 9/10 FT) and Rose (8/8 FT, 6 assists) from the bench contributed 16 points, Immanuel Quickley needed for his 15 counters also 17 throws from the field.
Gibson is kicked out in the first quarter
Due to the injuries of Nerlens Noel and Jericho Sims, New York came into play with only one backup option on Center, and that said goodbye in the first quarter. After the frustration about the lack of foul calls in the game against the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday, Taj Gibson’s collar broke after only 3 minutes of playing time.
Gibson got two offensive fouls whistled in consecutive attacks while placing screens, whereupon he jumped on the spot and screamed in such a way that the referees sent him to the shower. In the first twelve minutes, not much went well for the home side, who were dominated by the Bulls with 37:19.
Until the break, New York no longer shortened the gap, the frustration was evident in the team. However, the Knicks reported back from the catacombs with a 27:10 run and already reduced the deficit to -1 in the third quarter, before they also took the lead in the final quarter.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau let center Mitchell Robinson (9, 8 rebounds, 5 blocks) play just under 30 minutes despite Gibson’s ejection, in the lineups with Randle and sometimes Obi Toppin (8, 2 steals) in the big positions Knicks successful in phases. Bulls coach Billy Donovan relied on a tight rotation, in addition to the starters Alex Caruso also played for 29 minutes.
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