Game Thread: New York Knicks @ Chicago Bulls 8:00pm 3/23/2016

Considering all the Chicago Bulls have endured this season, they finally appear healthy and confident now that it matters most.

Looking to complete a sweep of their four-game homestand, the Bulls could have an easier time if Carmelo Anthony isn't available for the New York Knicks in Wednesday night's opener of a home-and-home series.

Despite lingering injuries to key players, frequent stretches of underachieving and a failure to always buy into the philosophy of first-year coach Fred Hoiberg, Chicago (36-33) has won three in a row and holds a .001 percent lead over Detroit for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

"We've had some ups and downs, but we are finding ways to win games," guard Derrick Rose told the Bulls' official website.

In Monday's 109-102 win over Sacramento, Rose and Taj Gibson each scored 18 and Pau Gasol added 14 with 14 rebounds in 24 minutes, making his return after missing four games with a knee problem. Though the Bulls blew a 12-point lead, they overcame a five-point fourth-quarter deficit to win for the eighth time in 10 home games.

"We have to continue to go out and battle and hopefully play more consistently the next game," Hoiberg said. "The big thing was the overall urgency we showed down the stretch whereas before if we had a lead and it got cut it would continue to spiral the wrong direction. ... (Monday) the guys showed some toughness."

Perhaps that perseverance came from Monday's starting lineup of Gibson, Gasol, Rose, Mike Dunleavy and leading scorer Jimmy Butler. The configuration was the Bulls' desired one to start the season, but opened a game for just the second time.

Chicago won both of those contests.

"That group is pretty good," Dunleavy said. "Hopefully, if we can get healthy and stay healthy that's the key, round into form and give ourselves a chance to make the playoffs.

"There's a sense of confidence and comfort level with that group."

Rose has averaged 19.9 points and 52.4 percent shooting while playing 12 of 17 games since the All-Star break. Gibson has averaged 15.0 points in three games and second-year reserve Doug McDermott is averaging 19.4 while going 17 of 28 from 3-point range in the last five.

Chicago has averaged 106.9 points and shot 48.3 percent in the last 10 at home.

The Bulls went 5 of 21 from beyond the arc in a 107-91 loss at New York (28-43) on Dec. 19, but hit 10 of 16 to rout the Knicks 108-81 at home New Year's Day.

Anthony totaled 47 points in those games but could sit after a migraine forced him to miss Sunday's 88-80 loss to the Kings. Averaging 84.7 points and shooting 38 percent in a three-game skid, New York trailed 28-12 after one quarter Sunday en route to falling to 0-8 without Anthony.

"You take 'Melo out of the scenario, you can be a little more chancy and risky because you don't get maybe blown up because of your decisions," Sacramento coach George Karl said.

New York's Robin Lopez had 23 points and a career-high 20 rebounds after totaling 11 and 11 boards in the previous two contests. He has 12 points, nine rebounds and four turnovers in the two games against the Bulls this season.

The teams conclude the season series Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.

(nba.com)

Don't know whether to be excited or not about getting to watch these next two games. Bullies have an elite level backcourt with Rose/Jimmy vs Calderone and Sasha???? WTf??? How is Sasha in the NBA period let alone starting he must have pics of PJAx on chief

jimkcchief88 said:

Don't know whether to be excited or not about getting to watch these next two games. Bullies have an elite level backcourt with Rose/Jimmy vs Calderone and Sasha???? WTf??? How is Sasha in the NBA period let alone starting he must have pics of PJAx on chief

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Are they trying to force Afflalo to opt out? Afflalo has not been good this year, but benching him for Vujacic seems excessive. If you're going to make room in the starting lineup for a guard, why does it have to be Vujacic?

On the other hand, I'm starting to hope Rambis starts limiting Porzingis' minutes in games. He has had one or two okay games this month, but overall he just looks done. His month of March so far has been so much worse than every month up until now.

htr10 said:

Are they trying to force Afflalo to opt out? Afflalo has not been good this year, but benching him for Vujacic seems excessive. If you're going to make room in the starting lineup for a guard, why does it have to be Vujacic?

On the other hand, I'm starting to hope Rambis starts limiting Porzingis' minutes in games. He has had one or two okay games this month, but overall he just looks done. His month of March so far has been so much worse than every month up until now.

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Maybe AA is still not 100%. Doesn't matter whether he starts or doesn't start at this point the season is done. AA got what he wanted out of the Knicks, a starting SG spot so he could showcase his skills for his next pay day. He put up half way decent numbers for the Knicks so I think you're right htr10, he'll opt out and test the market.

KP breaks the ice with a short jumper but gets faked out on Taj layup.

KP gets payback for Taj shot and pulls the chair on Pau who falls on his butt.

Porzingis hits his first shot, then drains a 3, then pulls the chair away on Gasol (who promptly falls in his arse).

KP with 9pts/4rbs couple of minutes left in the 1st.

Bad pass by Grant followed by a travel. Said he's not a great passer and he doesn't handle the ball well. Giving him the starting PG spot is laughable.

Somehow... cHIcago doesn't commit their first foul until 18.7 seconds left in the 1st Q. An 8-0 run gives Bulls a 30-23 lead...

Bulls with 0 turnovers, NYK have 6.

In an ugly display of BBall, Grant throws ball to CHI (trying to feed Melo in the post) then fails to get back to defend McDermott (who makes a layup)... Then Jerian is left all alone for a wide open 11-foot jumper, but he shuffles feet and almost falls down and is called for a travel. Yikes. Shake it off rookie...

Grant knocks down a 3 from right elbow and follows that with a layup on the next possession.

Shows what I know. On a night where I called for Porzingis' minutes to go down before the game, he is going absolutely berserk in the first half with some of his best play of the season.

Chief can answer this, what happened to that elite Bulls defense. It looks like crap since Hoiberg took over.

Knicks up 57-55 at the half. KP is the difference with team high 17 pts. The box score says zero blocks but I thought he blocked Portis in the 1st qtr.

Last time they played here they had a 2nd half collapse and got blown out. Rambis needs to remind them of that game during the break.

They compare Pau to KP but he gets up way higher than Pau.

tiger0330 said:

Chief can answer this, what happened to that elite Bulls defense. It looks like crap since Hoiberg took over.

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Over the course of two seasons, take away Deng and Noah from the lineup and take away Thibodeau from the bench and this team's defense was bound to plummet.

tiger0330 said:

Chief can answer this, what happened to that elite Bulls defense. It looks like crap since Hoiberg took over.

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Barry and Breen talking about this that Hoiberg is too laid back not getting 125% from his players. I forgot that Butler said the same thing earlier in the season.

One of the best 3rd quarters we have played all season. 17 point lead with a little over 2 minutes to play in the 3rd. No excuses to not win this one tonight. We have a huge upper hand.

The Bulls scorekeeper actually just gave that last Melo 3 pointer to Chicago instead. The fix is in! We lead 92 - 73 going into the 4th quarter. Need to close this out and we will have knocked the Bulls out of the 8th seed, for what it's worth.

htr10 said:

One of the best 3rd quarters we have played all season. 17 point lead with a little over 2 minutes to play in the 3rd. No excuses to not win this one tonight. We have a huge upper hand.

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If the Bulls come back from being down 20 I quit watching the rest of the season. Knicks showing pride and the Bulls come up empty in an important game for them fighting for a playoff spot.