NY Knicks: The Knicks are back at the world’s most famous arena to face the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls and reigning MVP Derek Rose. What a start for the Knicks, in the first 3 minutes of the game out-scoring the Bulls 11-3. The Knicks are a very focused team under Mike Woodson. With only 10 games left in the regular season, the Knicks understand the importance of winning at home.
Carmelo Anthony was The Man in the first quarter, knocking down shots from three-point land. It appeared early that the Bulls were uninterested, showing no emotion, as the Knicks continued to impress the capacity crowd, building a 15-point lead by late in the quarter.
Melo has put this team on his back since Amar’e Stoudemire went down with a lower back problem. Collectively the team has rallied together to make a push for the playoffs. The Knicks totally out-played the Bulls in the first quarter, proving that they can contend with the best in the east.
Early in the second quarter Tyson Chandler left the game with a sore left elbow. But he would return like the warrior he is, sparking the Knicks and giving the fans something to cheer about. The Bulls finally found some rhythm, cutting into the Knicks lead. Derek Rose began to break down the Knicks defense and find teammates in the paint for easy shots. By halftime the Knicks lead was cut from 15 points to 8.
In the 3rd quarter it was a totally different game as the Bulls defense harassed the Knicks into taking bad shots. Carmelo Anthony was unable to get anything going in the quarter. There was no help from the bench as J.R. Smith and Steve Novak were shut down by the Bulls’ swarming defense.
Trailing the Bulls by three to begin the fourth quarter, you could feel the momentum switch to the Bulls. Derek Rose was unbelievable in the fourth. With 4:40 left in the quarter Rose was fouled on a three-point shot by Iman Shumpert resulting in a four-point play, pushing the Bulls lead to eight. But Carmelo Anthony did what he was brought here to do, making a big three down the stretch to tie the game and force overtime.
The Bulls started the overtime on fire as Derek Rose scored seven straight points, pushing the Bulls lead to 10 with 2:40 left in overtime. But the Knicks would not be denied. Melo took over with seven consecutive points of his own, securing the victory for the Knicks 100 to 99.
Vernon McKenzie: PureSportsNY