Game Thread: New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls 8:00pm 1/1/2016

When they last faced one another two weeks ago, the Chicago Bulls appeared to be in turmoil while the New York Knicks were riding a season high-tying winning streak.

The tide has since turned for both teams heading into a New Year's Day rematch.

While Chicago's Derrick Rose uncertain to play, the Knicks hope to stay focused under difficult circumstances Friday night when they look to end a nine-game skid at the United Center.

Carmelo Anthony had 27 points on Dec. 19 when New York (15-18) cruised to a 107-91 home win over the Bulls that capped a four-game run in which the club averaged 108.3 points.

The Knicks dropped their next four while scoring just 93 per game, then improved to 11-2 when putting up at least 100 as they ended their skid in Tuesday's 108-96 home win over Detroit.

Anthony led six players in double figures with 24 points as New York shot 54.4 percent.

The mood changed early Wednesday when the Knicks learned Cleanthony Early was shot in the leg by masked robbers who demanded his "gold" as he left a strip club at 4:30 a.m.

Coach Derek Fisher said Early's injuries weren't life-threatening. The theft comes about 10 days after Derrick Williams was robbed of $617,000 in jewelry from his home.

"We talked to our guys about the situation, just reminded them how serious this is and that there are certain things that come with being visible in terms of being a public figure," he said.

The Knicks will certainly have Early on their minds as they look to end their woes in Chicago. They've dropped 24 of their last 27 games there and haven't won there since November 2010.

After Chicago's 147-144 four-overtime home loss to Detroit on Dec. 18, Pau Gasol stayed home to rest the following night when the exhausted Bulls fell easily at Madison Square Garden.

Afterward, Jimmy Butler questioned whether first-year coach Fred Hoiberg was coaching hard enough or adequately holding players accountable. The Bulls then fell 105-102 back at home on Dec. 21 to a Brooklyn team that entered the contest just 1-12 on the road.

Chicago (18-12), however, has since turned things around with impressive victories over Oklahoma City, Toronto and Indiana. The club also enjoyed one of its best offensive showings of the season despite its only loss in the past four games, 118-111 at Dallas on Dec. 26.

The Bulls could be missing Rose after he couldn't play in Wednesday's 102-100 overtime home win over the Pacers due to hamstring tendinitis. Aaron Brooks filled in nicely with a season-high 29 points while hitting 4 of 7 from 3-point range in 40 minutes off the bench.

After the victory over Indiana, all seemed better when Butler praised Hoiberg.

"I think that he's holding me accountable for everything," the All-Star guard said.

Butler bounced back with 28 points - including the winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds left - after totaling 22 on 6-of-18 shooting over his previous two games. Bobby Portis has stepped up with Joakim Noah (shoulder) out, totaling 28 points and 16 rebounds in his last two.

The rookie had season highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds in the first meeting with the Knicks.

New York's Arron Afflalo has averaged 20.1 points while making 15 of 26 (57.7 percent) from beyond the arc over his last eight games against the Bulls dating to his time with Denver.


(nba.com)

Great job RADY, much appreciated.

Got take a serious approach to this game. Especially paying attention to Brooks and Portis. They have been getting busy off Bulls bench lately. #kporzee should treat this game a little personal and establish himself as one of the best young players coming up in the game. He's been struggling lately.

If Rolo and DWill can play like the last game this will be another win. It's about time for Lopez being the 2nd highest paid player on the team.

Forget that high post position of the triangle and him igniting the offense, let him get deep in the paint, feed him the ball and let him go to work with that baby hook shot. If he can outplay Drum he can outplay anyone on the other end also.

Good start by the Bulls just like last game after they played those 4ots.

tiger0330 said:

Good start by the Bulls just like last game after they played those 4ots.

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Foul on Calderon bc his chest got in the way of Kirk's extended arm (as Heinrich shoved him away)... Affalo and Calderon look awful.

NYK 2-13 shooting with 4 turnovers (although one was bc ref apparently felt like giving CHI the ball.. Lopez called for stepping over line inbounding the ball which he clearly did not do)...

Would be nice for our coach to get Some subs in the game... 20-6.

Harlow talking about Gasol having a better back to the basket game than KP but Rambis says he's got a back to the basket game we haven't seen yet in games. Can't wait until he spends most of his time down low where I think he'll be more effective, he's just not a knock down jump shooter.

tiger0330 said:

Harlow talking about Gasol having a better back to the basket game than KP but Rambis says he's got a back to the basket game we haven't seen yet in games. Can't wait until he spends most of his time down low where I think he'll be more effective, he's just not a knock down jump shooter.

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Just don't think his trunk his strong enough for him to hold his position... But... Yeah... Apparently NYK haven't heard that the new NBA says GO SMALL...

PORZ should start at center.

I somehow think partying for the New Year was a higher priority than winning today's game. For a team watching its season slipping away... That's disheartening. Allowing 34 in the first while scoring 18 screams LACK OF FOCUS.

That 1st qtr was a bust, weren't playing good D or hitting shots.

tiger0330 said:

Harlow talking about Gasol having a better back to the basket game than KP but Rambis says he's got a back to the basket game we haven't seen yet in games. Can't wait until he spends most of his time down low where I think he'll be more effective, he's just not a knock down jump shooter.

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If he was ready he'd be doing it already, but there's also the Melo factor. Do I think this is on the horizon for him, yeah but it's a process like anything else.

Snell with a blatant push off... These refs better not decide Melo deserves an off foul come the 4th... But odds are high that happens.

Porzingis looking bad tonight... Not boxing out or doing much on offense but killing the flow and bricking shots. Time for coach to sit him.

Anthony has hit 5 straight after starting 0-4.

NYK at least woke up and is competing... Had lead down to 10 before it shot back up to 17 in a flash... Looks like CHI will lead wire to wire and this game will fluctuate in the 9-16 (lead For CHI) range the entire second half.

Melo kicks it out to Calderon... Swishes the 3. Jose sets up PORZ... Who swishes a 3.

Refs allowing a lot of contact... Affalo got away with a push off... Melo got away with a defensive foul...

Knicks cutting into lead and finishing second quarter strong.

Lead cut from 17 to 6. NYK wins second quarter 32-24. If Melo makes shot at end of quarter it would've been a 4 point game.

56-50 at half...

Bulls dominating the offensive glass... 9 or 10 off boards is the difference.

Williams and Thomas continue to give the team a lift. Lopez and Calderon chilling in after a sluggish start. Affalo getting schooled by Butler.

Give this team credit tho for getting back into it. Maybe they did get some sleep last night. Still, it'll be for naught if they come out in third and let CHI go on a run...

Lose this game and we'll be 1-5 in these 9 games with EC rivals. Next 3 are 2 with ATL and the Heat, which are tough games so we need to steal as many of these as we can.

Nice way to close the half...keep up the pressure KNIcKs

tiger0330 said:

Lose this game and we'll be 1-5 in these 9 games with EC rivals. Next 3 are 2 with ATL and the Heat, which are tough games so we need to steal as many of these as we can.

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NYK playing like they believe in your way of thinking. Three better steal 1 or 3... I think tonight boils down to execution, made shots, and who makes plays come late 4th...

Melo throws the ball away but ref gives us a new year's gift. 63-62.