Knicks dominate in the 4th, beat the Bulls
Knicks dominate in the 4th, beat the Bulls (New York, NY) – After a big win against the Heat on Monday, the Bulls will face another difficult task on Wednesday night. Chicago will be playing the New York Knicks, who have won 9 of their last 10 games. Julius Randle is a big reason for that, as he made the All-Star team for the first time this season. He leads New York in points (23.9), rebounds (10.4) and assists (6).
Derrick Rose is also a major contributor for the Knicks, as he has averaged 17 points and 4 assists in his last 10 games. Defense has been the main reason why Chicago has won 4 of their last 6 games. The Bulls are holding teams to 102 points per game, 45% shooting from the field and 34% shooting from the three-point line in their last 6 games. The Bulls defense will continue to be a key in this game, as they are still playing without Zach LaVine.
Randle powers Knicks in the 1st half
Chicago struggled from the field to start, missing 6 of their first 9 shots. In comparison, the Knicks made 6 of their first 10 shots. This allowed New York to jump out to a 16-6 advantage, with 7 minutes left in the 1st. Randle later hit a three-pointer to become the first double-digit scorer with 12 points. His three put the Knicks up 26-10 with 3.5 minutes remaining. New York led 32-19 going into the 2nd quarter.
After the Bulls started 0/8 from the three-point line, Garrett Temple hit their 1st three of the game to start the 2nd. Lauri Markannen followed that up with a dunk, to cut the New York lead to 32-24 with 10 minutes remaining. The Bulls run continued as they reduced their deficit to 34-32, after Temple scored on a driving layup. The Knicks responded with an 11-2 scoring stretch to go back up 45-34, with 4 minutes left in the quarter.
Nikola Vučević scored or assisted on 8 of the Bulls next 14 points, helping them close the gap going into halftime. The Knicks led 52-48 going into the 2nd half, behind 19 points and 4 rebounds from Randle. RJ Barrett also scored in double-figures for New York with 10. Vučević was the only Bull in double-figures, with 16 points and 8 rebounds.
Bulls, Knicks trade runs in the 3rd
New York extended their lead to 58-50 at the start of the 3rd, but the Bulls countered quickly. Coby White, Vučević and Daniel Theis all scored to cut the Knicks lead to 58-57. Satoransky then scored on a cutting layup to put Chicago up 59-58, with 7 minutes left in the quarter. Barrett and Randle both hit three-pointers in response, contributing to a 9-0 run that put New York up 67-59.
Chicago went on a 13-7 run to keep the Knicks from pulling away, at 74-72. Markannen extended the run with an “and-one”, which allowed Chicago to retake the lead at 75-74. Randle scored on the following possession to put New York up 76-75 going into the 4th.
Knicks outscore Bulls 37-19 in the 4th
Knicks rookie Immanuel Quickley started the 4th quarter on a tear, scoring 11 points. He helped New York go up 91-77, with 7.5 minutes left in the game. Chicago cut their deficit down to 93-84, but the Knicks scored six straight points afterwards. Barrett and Reggie Bullock later hit consecutive three-pointers, to put New York up 105-89 with 2.5 minutes left. The Knicks won the game, 113-94.
In a game that was close through 3 quarters, New York seized control in the 4th quarter. Randle and Quickley led that charge, scoring 19 of the 37 points. Randle finished the game with 34 points and 7 rebounds. Barrett added 22 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.
Vučević led Chicago with 26 points and 18 rebounds. Markannen added 14 points and 6 rebounds off of the bench.
Up Next
New York (35-28) will play the Rockets (15-47) on Sunday night at 7pm CT.
Chicago (26-36) will face the Bucks (38-23) on Friday night at 8pm CT.
Knicks dominate in the 4th, beat the Bulls
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