It looked as if the Chicago Bulls would embarrass the New York Knicks, boasting a 22-point lead headed into the final quarter. Chicago was beating the Knicks up on the glass and holding New York to well under 40 percent shooting. However, the Knicks mounted a furious comeback, scoring 45 in the final quarter before running out of time as the Bulls held on for the 110-106 victory.
Knicks vs. Bulls 2012 results: Chicago dominates New York for three quarters, holds on for 110-106 victory
Chicago held a 22-point lead on New York heading into the fourth quarter, giving nearly all of it back before holding on for a four-point win.
Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
The carnage began from the opening tip as New York made only one of its first 11 shots, allowing the Bulls to build a 14-2 lead. The Knicks would score 21 points in the final 5:30 of the first quarter to cut the deficit to seven, but Chicago would dominate the next two quarters to enter the final frame with a seemingly-insurmountable 22-point lead. New York would cut it to 15 before the game was marred by a spate of ejections: Carmelo Anthony, Tyson Chandler, Joakim Noah, and Knicks coach Mike Woodson were all tossed for multiple technical fouls. However, the ejections seemed only to light a fire under New York, which continued to push, ultimately running out of time as Chris Copeland cut it to four as time expired.
Luol Deng led Chicago with 29 points and 13 rebounds, with Noah adding 15 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists before his ejection. Kirk Hinrich (16 points, nine rebounds, eight assists) and Marco Belinelli (22 points) also had strong games for the Bulls
Anthony ended the game with 29 points, while J.R. Smith added 26 points and ten rebounds. Raymond Felton chipped in 21.
The win lifts the Bulls to 15-10, maintaining a one-game lead over Milwaukee in the Central Division. They travel to Atlanta to face the Hawks on Saturday. New York drops to 19-7 and hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
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