Knicks spoil Rose’s return, sneak by Bulls in overtime
NEW YORK -- Carmelo Anthony called it a statement game, and the message should be clear for the Chicago Bulls.
If they do meet in the playoffs, the Bulls better finish off Anthony and the Knicks when they have the chance.
Anthony scored 43 points, his most since coming to New York last February, and made the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.2 seconds left in overtime as the Knicks spoiled the return of Derrick Rose and beat the Bulls 100-99 on Sunday.
Anthony tied it with a 3 late in regulation and scored the final five points of overtime in his signature performance with the Knicks. He only had the chance to pull it out because the Bulls missed four straight free throws in the final 34 seconds of regulation.
"This was a playoff game. We have a chance, we might play these guys in the playoffs if we keep doing what we're doing and get that seed, so this was a big statement game for us and we willed this one tonight," Anthony said.
It had the look and sound of a playoff game in the tense final minutes at a frenzied Madison Square Garden. The loudest roars went to Anthony, who screamed "This is my house!" after the second 3-pointer in a place where he heard boos just last month.
He said Sunday's big basket was one of the best of his career.
"This was one of the top," he said. "Overtime, Easter Sunday, everybody's watching, everybody's in the Garden, so this ranks as one of the top."
The Bulls (43-14) trailed by 21 in the first quarter, fought back to lead by 10 in the fourth, then lost for the third time in four games despite having their starting five together for only the 11th time this season.
Rose scored 29 points after missing the previous 12 games with a strained right groin, but he shot only 8-for-26 from the field and missed a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left in regulation and the Bulls ahead by three.
"It's tough. It was definitely tough," Rose said. "When you lose a game, especially for us, it's tough. It's going to hurt us no matter who we lose to, but that team played great, man."
The Knicks (29-27) increased their lead over Milwaukee to one game for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They travel to Chicago on Tuesday, visit Milwaukee on Wednesday, and close a difficult week by hosting Miami on Sunday.
"I was proud of my teammates the way we stuck in there," New York center Tyson Chandler said. "You know, a lot of ups and downs in the game, but the one thing we did was keep our composure, kept believing in each other and we were able to will through to win."
Iman Shumpert scored 15 points and JR Smith had 14 despite 6-for-22 shooting for the Knicks.
Carlos Boozer had 13 points and 16 boards for the Bulls, who fell to 9-2 with their regular starting five. Rose committed eight of Chicago's 20 turnovers.
Rose had only seven points in the first half, then scored 14 in the third quarter. Having trailed all the way, Chicago took its first lead in the final minute of the third, later going ahead 89-80 on Rose's four-point play with 5:04 remaining in the fourth.
The Knicks were down 10 before Smith hit a 3-pointer and Anthony scored four in a row to make it 91-88. Luol Deng missed two free throws with 34 seconds left, and after Steve Novak's potential tying 3-point attempt went all around the rim before coming out, Rose missed twice from the line.
Anthony rushed up the floor and pulled up for a long 3 that tied it at 91 with 11 seconds left, and it went to overtime after Rose missed everything on a jumper.
Chicago took a pair of four-point leads on baskets by Rose, but was shut out after his jumper with 2:51 remaining.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
■ CELTICS POUND STRUGGLING 76ERS -- At Boston, Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and Rajon Rondo dished out 15 assists to help lead the Celtics over Philadelphia, 103-79. Brandon Bass and Findlay Prep product Avery Bradley each added 18 points as Boston improved its Atlantic Division lead to three games over the Knicks and fading 76ers, who have lost 10 of 14 to fall out first place. Philadelphia is tied with New York for seventh place in the Eastern Conference, one game ahead of Milwaukee.
■ HEAT CRUISE WITHOUT WADE -- At Miami, LeBron James scored 26 points, Chris Bosh finished with 22 points and nine rebounds, and the Heat steadily pulled away to beat Detroit, 98-75. James Jones added 18 points for Miami, which played without Dwyane Wade (right ankle) for the 11th time this season.
■ SPURS STAY ATOP WEST -- At San Antonio, Tony Parker scored 28 points and the Spurs won their 11th in a row, beating Utah 114-104 to maintain their slim lead atop the Western Conference. Al Jefferson compiled 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Jazz, who dropped one game behind Denver for the eighth and final playoff spot with nine games left.
■ THUNDER STOP SKID -- At Oklahoma City, Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Oklahoma City had a 24-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to beat Toronto 91-75 and end a season-worst three-game losing streak.
■ ROCKETS ROUT JIMMER, KINGS -- At Sacramento, Calif., Courtney Lee scored 19 of his 25 points in the first half and Houston won its third straight, 104-87. Kings rookie guard Jimmer Fredette made three 3-pointers and finished with 17 points in a season-high 37 minutes.
