The Knicks have struggled mightily with the Bulls this season. This is a Chicago team without Derrick Rose, mind you. The Bulls are physical inside and Luol Deng has gone bonkers. Deng was at it again Friday night. He scored 33.
The Knicks went 11 for 22 from three point range, but shot poorly from inside the arc. The team was never really in it, falling behind 29-18 after one at MSG. Carmelo Anthony scored 39 points, but took 32 shots to do it. Tyson Chandler added 18 rebounds and James White, who got the start, scored 11. Pablo Prigioni also had a nice game. But J.R. smith was dreadful. Amar'e Stoudemire was virtually non-existent. And Jason Kidd had his worst game as a Knick.
The trend against the Bulls is distressing. They can afford to play one on one against Anthony and it prevents open shots from the Knicks three point guns. Plus, the Bulls exhibit good help defense down low to thwart the Knicks' penetration into the paint. And Chicago finishes off their defensive possessions with rebounds.
The Bulls' weakness without Rose is on the offensive end. But it hasn't hurt them against the Knicks thus far. The problem for the Knicks comes if they have to face the Bulls in the first round of the playoffs. Otherwise, they likely won't need to worry about Chicago come postseason time.
The Knicks lost 108-101 after a valiant comeback in the fourth that was doomed to come up short. The Knicks are now 23-13.
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