CARMELO Anthony took over in the third quarter and the New York Knicks fended off a late-game rally by the Chicago Bulls, 100-91, on Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) at the Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks started to take control in the second quarter with a 20-5 run, and brought a 54-40 lead at the half. Anthony then scored eight third-quarter points as New York extended the gap, 80-64, into the fourth period.
Nikola Mirotic, though, capped a 9-2 run late in the fourth to bring the Bulls within nine, 95-86, with over two minutes left. But Anthony and the Knicks made just enough free throws to seal the win and snap Chicago’s four-game win streak.
Anthony led the Knicks (30-48) with 23 points, while Courtney Lee added 14. Maurice Ndour made good use of a rare start as he ended up with 13 markers and 12 rebounds.
Jimmy Bulter had a game-high 26 points and Nikola Mirotic added a double-double of 21 markers and 10 rebounds. But the Bulls (38-40) fell to a tie with Indiana at seventh place in the East, just half a game ahead of the Miami Heat in the playoff race.
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