New York Knicks shut down the Chicago Bulls: 2 takeaways from the win

By Adam Kester | Oct 28, 2021

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 28: Kemba Walker #8 of the New York Knicks forces a jump ball with Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on October 28, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 104-103. 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. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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New York Knicks, Tom Thibodeau (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /

The New York Knicks need to close games

So far this season, the Knicks have actually closed games. Technically, they have closed games. Technically.

A win is a win, as they say.

This was a massive win for the team and to write about something negative may seem like a Debbie Downer move…maybe it is, but it’s impossible to leave this game without a slightly sour taste from how it ended.

Three times now the New York Knicks showed up in a big way against a formidable Eastern Conference opponent in the Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, and Chicago Bulls, and two of those three times they nearly blew it.

We’re not talking about a game in which they were up 12 and the game got within 5 points.

We’re talking about having commanding leads late in the 4th quarter and completely forgetting how to play ball.

Missed free throws? Throwing away inbounds passes? Letting opponents get easy baskets?

It’s truly bizarre for a team as disciplined and dedicated to hard work as the Knicks to let this happen, but it’s happened in 2/5 games. In a way, it happened with the Orlando Magic in their only loss, except that was a halftime lead where they fell asleep and let the Magic take over. Still similar.

Whatever it may be, it has to be an elephant in the room and you know that the team will address it. This team never runs from its

mistakes.

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