I think it is safe to say that the Chicago Bulls will have no shot at upsetting the Cleveland Cavaliers if the Eastern Conference standings stand pat. Wednesday night, the Bulls had their three game winning-streak snapped by the lowly… New York Knicks.
It was a tightly contested first half, with seven ties and 16 lead changes. Chicago lead by as many as seven points in the opening period, as the Bulls went on a 8-0 run in the final 49.8 seconds of the first quarter. The Knicks rallied back to take a 57-55 lead going into intermission, behind some spectacular outside shooting. New York was a perfect 4-for-4 in the second quarter from downtown.
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The Knicks this season, are one of the worst teams in the league from beyond the arc, converting the seventh least amount of threes per game at 7.2, as per NBA.com. New York almost matched that in the first half alone Wednesday night, going 7-for-11 after two quarters of play.
The Bulls were just not themselves, as they normally do a good job at containing the three. Chicago is the sixth best opponent three-point percentage, forcing opponents to shoot 33.7% from downtown per NBA.com. The Bulls are also top-ten in amount of three-pointers allowed by an opponents at 7.8 per NBA.com.
Kristaps Porzingis, who has struggled as of late, BROKE OUT!
After starting off his rookie season hot, Kristaps Porzingis has hit a bit of a wall.https://t.co/e0VF9Oak5H
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 24, 2016
Porzingis had his way with Chicago’s front-line, in particular, Taj Gibson. The rookie scored 17 of his team-high 29 points in the first half. Porzingis was scorching the Bulls in the first half, shooting 7-for-9 from the field, connecting on three triples. The 7’3″ Latvian also showed off defensively, displaying that he is a quick learner; pulling the chair on Pau Gasol in the opening moments. The sky is the limit for the basketball unicorn!
Former-MVP Derrick Rose really kept the Bulls in the game, scoring a dozen first half points. Chicago also helped themselves by taking care of the basketball, committing zero turnovers in the first half. The last time the Bulls achieved such an accomplishment was in 2001.
36 seconds into the second half and the Bulls would ruin that achievement, committing their first turnover of the game. Chicago would only turn the ball over six times in Wednesday night’s contest.
In the third quarter New York outscored Chicago 35-18, as Carmelo Anthony joined in on the three-point shooting fun. Melo knocked down three of the Knicks’ five three-pointers in the period, as New York shot a scorching 61.9% from the field!
The 🔥 shooting continues in Chi-town. The #Knicks have connected on 12-for-18 treys & lead 92-76 in the 4Q! pic.twitter.com/SyrG8cX7Ap
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) March 24, 2016
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The game looked like it was well in hand as the Knicks lead by as many as 22 points early in the fourth quarter, but the Knicks being the Knicks… they had to make it difficult on themselves. New York almost blew the game as Chicago trimmed the lead down to single-digit behind Nikola Mirotic 20 fourth quarter points! Mirotic was already on fire from downtown, connecting on four three-pointers through three quarters, but added FIVE more in the final period!
Mirotic scored a career high 32 points when it was all said and done Wednesday night, making a career high nine three-pointers. The sophomore’s astonishing three-point shooting, tied Knick-killer Ben Gordon‘s franchise record for most three-pointers in a game.
With New York’s lead down to single-digit, Anthony hit a tough, clutch three-pointer over Jimmy Butler that gave the Knicks a 112-101 lead with 2:37 remaining in the game. Anthony finished the game with 24 points and 5 assists. It was nice to see New York’s superstar recover so nicely from his migraine.
New York would hold on to win 115-107, which is disappointing considering the massive lead the Knicks built with their hot three-point shooting…The Knicks shot 56% from beyond the arc, converting on 14 three-pointers!
Although, seeing Porzingis collect his first double-double since the All-Star break was encouraging. Porzingis scored 29 points (including a posterizing dunk on Gasol!) and grabbed 10 rebounds for his 19th double-double of the season.
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We will see if the Bulls figured something out with their late comeback, as New York will see Chicago again Thursday night as part of a home-and-home series. Let’s see if the Knicks can repeat Wednesday’s performance.