NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. – The New York Knicks had just beaten the Chicago Bulls, 115-107 in Chicago Wednesday night. This was the 14th game the Knicks shot over 50% from the field, and New York has an 11-3 record when shooting that well. This win also snapped a nine game losing streak in Chicago. A key to this victory was the 21-7 run New York went on in the third quarter. The Knicks have struggled getting quality shots consistently, and with digging themselves holes in the third quarter throughout this season.
Both Wednesday and Thursday night, New York solved their shot quality and 3rd quarter issues against the Bulls. In Madison Square Garden Thursday, the Knicks came out of the gate hot. New York led 31-27 after the first quarter, and led by as many as nine points. Carmelo Anthony set the tone with 10 first quarter points, and the Knicks as a team shot 57%. Sasha Vujacic was a perfect 3 for 3 from downtown, in another start for New York.
The second quarter the Knicks continued to play good basketball. Kristaps Porzingis started to heat up, as he scored eight second quarter points. It was encouraging to see that Porzingis also had seven rebounds at the half. New York would build an 53-45 advantage over Chicago going into halftime. Derrick Rose however led all scorers with 14 points going into halftime. Rose was devastating the Knicks with his relentless penetration and acrobatic finishes.
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Struggles have loomed with New York during the third quarter dating back to last season. It has been a bad habit for the Knicks to come out flat after halftime. New York would win the 3rd quarter battle Wednesday and Thursday night. Thursday the Knicks outscored Chicago 27-20, and built a 15 point lead going into the fourth quarter. Anthony and Porzingis each had 19 points going into the final quarter of play.
Derrick Williams stole the show in the fourth quarter, with two highlight reel dunks. Williams scored 11 fourth quarter points and converted on a 3/4 court alley oop from Jose Calderon. That dunk sent the Garden faithful into a frenzy. Rose’s 30 points were not enough as the Knicks beat Chicago 106-94. New York beat the Bulls three times this season, and won the season series.
The Knicks as a team finished shooting 51% from the field, to improve their record to 12-3 when shooting over 50% on the season. It’s been bittersweet these past two days, to watch the Knicks easily beat Chicago. Granted the Bulls are without Joakim Noah, but New York showed us what we thought we would see more of this season. The ball movement was great, and the role players produced. Porzingis and Anthony really played well, and when all cylinders are clicking this Knick team is dangerous. If the Knicks can pick up some consistent production in the off-season, they will be a force in the Eastern Conference next season.
Stats Of The Game:
- Robin Lopez cooled off, only scoring four points but still nabbed seven rebounds.
- Taj Gibson had a good game, tallying 10 points and six rebounds.
- Jimmy Butler had 19 points, but four turnovers.
- Porzingis had his second straight double double (19 points, 10 rebounds).
- Anthony led Knick scorers with 26 points.
- New York as a team shot 93% (15-16) from the charity stripe.
Barry Holmes is a Senior Writer for PureSportsNY.com. Follow him on Twitter @BHO732