The New York Knicks went into United Center to take on the Chicago Bulls after losing 96-92 on Walt “Clyde” Frazier appreciation night.
The game started off with a nice back and forth flow, but then Bulls went on an 8-0 as the Knicks went scoreless for three minutes, missing seven consecutive shots from the field. During the run, the 6’2” Langston Galloway needed to be substituted out of the game because the 6’7” Jimmy Butler was abusing Galloway in the paint. Galloway finished the game with the worst +/- of any player, getting dominated by Butler early and often, finishing the game with a -28. The run gave Chicago a 19-9 lead with 5:52 remaining in the first quarter. The Bulls led 28-17 after one quarter of play.
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Chicago this year have improved greatly on offense, going from the worst offensive team in the league last season at 93.7 points per game to the middle of the pack, 13th on offense with 101 points per game. Although the Bulls have taken a drastic step back on defense, going from the best defensive team in the league, allowing only 91.8 points per game last season to now only the top third of the league, ranked 11th in defense allowing 98.7 points per game. (All stats are courtesy of NBA.com.)
New York got the deficit down to single digits on a long two by Andrea Bargnani, just within the three-point arc, 35-27 with 7:30 remaining in the second quarter. Chicago responded with a huge 19-7 run to finish the first half. Nikola Mirotic hit two threes to help stretch out the Bulls’ lead, Mirotic finished with a game high 24 points. Butler and the rest of the Bulls continued to pound the Knicks inside, Chicago led 54-34 by halftime. Butler finished the game with 18 points, and five steals!
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New York was held to 35% shooting from the field in the first half, while Chicago shot 48.9% from the field, knocking down five three-pointers in the process. The Bulls pounded the Knicks down-low for 26 first half points in the paint. After one half of play, four Bulls were in double figures scoring already. New York on the other hand was held to 17 points in the first and second quarter.
Chicago would lead by as many as 31 points with a 14-2 run where New York went five minutes converting on only one field goal. New York was able to get over the 17 point hump per quarter in the third quarter, but only by a couple of points… The Bulls led 84-53 after three quarters of play and the final quarter was complete garbage minutes.
Pau Gasol recorded his 48th double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds Saturday night. Bargnani lead the Knicks in scoring with 14 points, but finished the game with a -22 +/-. New York will have three days to rest up before taking on the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night on April Fools’ Day.