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New York Knicks: What if the Bulls were always the opponent?

By Rob Wolkenbrod

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 9: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the Chicago Bulls on April 9, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 9: Dennis Smith Jr. #5 of the New York Knicks goes to the basket against the Chicago Bulls on April 9, 2019 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The New York Knicks defeated the Chicago Bulls for the second time in 10 days, 96-86.

Stop the presses: the New York Knicks have won three of their last five games and can no longer achieve the worst season in franchise history. With an 18-game losing streak on their resume this season, that seemed unbelievable, but this late-season run put them just above that threshold.

The Knicks can thank the NBA for scheduling them the Chicago Bulls twice over the season’s final two weeks, and with a combined point differential of 18 points. That includes Tuesday’s 96-86 final score.

It was not a spectacular shooting night, at just 39.8 percent. 14 three-pointers to Chicago’s seven was the difference, however, including four from Kevin Knox and a trio from John Jenkins off the bench.

Otherwise, this was an interesting, standout night for a handful of players. Knox, Luke Kornet, Mitchell Robinson and the semi-healthy Dennis Smith Jr. all dazzled with their performances in the starting lineup.

Knox, Kornet and Robinson all had double-digit rebounds. All but the rookie center had a double-double in significant minutes.

Defensively, Kornet and Robinson combined for nine blocks, and the former actually led the way with six. He was just four shy of an unusual triple-double and finished the night with 12 points, 13 rebounds and the aforementioned swat total.

Then, there was the most remarkable part of the night: Mario Hezonja did not play. In Sunday’s win over the Washington Wizards, he had 30 points in 36 minutes on 12-for-21 shooting. Before that, it was 16 points, 16 rebounds and 11 assists in the unique point guard experiment against the Houston Rockets.

However, as ESPN’s Ian Begley noted, Hezonja dealt with an illness and had to sit out.

  • Billy Garrett received another run off the bench. He delivered eight points in 13 minutes.
  • Isaiah Hicks took some minutes in a limited run.
  • Continuing to garner heavy on-court time, Damyean Dotson had 12 points on 5-for-10 shooting in 40 minutes.

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Only one game remains for the Knicks and the turnaround is quick. Head coach David Fizdale and Co. will close the season at home, with the Detroit Pistons playing for playoff basketball. It’s a rare moment for New York to play spoiler, and it adds an intriguing later to an otherwise meaningless game for the blue and orange. Game time is at 8:00 p.m. ET.

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