Knicks survive in OT, edge Bulls 113-111

It was another nail-biting, heart-stopping finish at Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks survived the Chicago Bulls 113-111 in overtime, securing their second straight OT win.

Karl-Anthony Towns led the way with 32 points and 18 rebounds, while Jalen Brunson continued to orchestrate the offense with 22 points and 12 assists.

The game featured some tense moments down the stretch, including a crucial block by Mikal Bridges and a missed shot by Nikola Vucevic that sealed the Knicks’ victory.

The Knicks led for most of the game, holding a comfortable 50-39 advantage shortly before halftime, but the Bulls weren’t going down without a fight.

They started the game with a quick 6-point run, which would prove to be their largest lead of the night. The Knicks fought back in the second quarter, maintaining control, but the game would tighten up in the final minutes.

As regulation came to a close, Vucevic had a chance to win the game for Chicago, but Bridges came up with a huge block, denying the Bulls a chance to steal the victory. That moment was pivotal, as the game headed into overtime with both teams feeling the pressure.

In OT, the Knicks looked to have control after extending their lead to 113-105 with under two minutes left. But the Bulls, led by Josh Giddey’s 27 points and Vucevic’s 21, wouldn’t go quietly, closing in and nearly forcing a second overtime. The Knicks’ defense held strong, however, and despite a final push from the Bulls, the game ended in the Knicks’ favor.

Miles McBride, starting in place of Josh Hart, contributed 23 points and 6 rebounds, stepping up in a big way. McBride’s effort helped keep the team afloat and gave the Knicks a much-needed boost. Overall, the Knicks outscored the Bulls 48-40 in the paint and shot 43% from the field compared to the Bulls’ 39.8%.

Up-next: Knicks (37-18) will take on the NBA leaders’ the Cavaliers (45-10) tonight in Cleveland