With Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah making their return to the United Center, the New York Knicks found Kristaps Porzingis early and defeated the Chicago Bulls.
- New York Knicks 117 (2-3)
- Chicago Bulls 104 (3-2)
- NBA, Final, Box Score
- United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Anytime they had young KP open, they hit him. Anytime KP flashed high or cut low, they hit him. It led to a more fluid offense with terrific ball movement fit for an NBA Playoff squad. It was exactly what head coach Jeff Hornacek wanted to see.
Porzingis finished with 27 points on a very hot 10-of-15 from the floor (4-7 from 3-point range). KP also contributed with five rebounds and a dime.
.@kporzee on ? with 8p on 3-of-4 shooting & 2-of-3 from downtown! NYK 22 CHI 13 1Q. #Knicks #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/Lg7o576MYV
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
As good as Porzingis was, newcomer Derrick Rose was just as good — while doing it in his return to Chicago. D-Rose put an exclamation point on his 14 point, 11 assist night with a little over a minute to go when he exploded to the rim on a left-side first step to finish an and-one over Jimmy Butler.
The move provided the Knicks a nine-point lead after the Bulls refused to go away.
While Hornacek’s squad did a terrific job in the second half of maintaining distance, for the most part, it was the opening quarter that saw New York build its biggest lead (outscoring the Bulls 32-23 in the frame). The finished the game with 32 assists and just five turnovers.
Carmelo Anthony hit a big 3-pointer late that provided his team with a 10-point lead and put the final nail in the coffin. Melo finished with 25 while adding six rebounds and four assists. 15 of his 25 came in the second-half.
Joakim Noah, who also heard the homecoming boos along with D-Rose, ended with 16 points and nine rebounds.
For Chicago, if not for Dwyane Wade‘s incredible shooting (12-20, 5-7 from 3-point, 35 points), the Knicks would have blown the doors off this one. Even the much-maligned defense showed up (Bulls shot 44.6 percent from the floor.
Next up for the Knicks will be the Utah Jazz at Madison Square Garden on Sunday night.
Behind @kporzee's 27 points & @drose's 11 dimes, the #Knicks capture a big win in the Windy City! #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/oOnM6jN7hg
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
.@drose hits @carmeloanthony in the corner for the 3-pointer! #Knicks lead 114-104 with 38.6 to go! #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/FMcj3mCyNx
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
3 minutes to go. #Knicks up 11. #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/GaGSrwBl3Y
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
What a start for the #Knicks! NYK up 13-3 in the 1Q! #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/hu81iO1oFu
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
?? #Knicks #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/dZGITAecJt
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
.@brandonjennings to the rack! #Knicks lead 44-43 5:35 2Q. #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/CGQVoVv0Un
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
.@carmeloanthony heating up ? & now with 14p! @kporzee has 20p & #Knicks lead 74-68. #NYKvsCHI pic.twitter.com/D8BZ1mNlqF
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) November 5, 2016
#Knicks beat @chicagobulls on the road behind balanced effort from D-Rose (15p, 11a, 7r). D-Wade drops 35p & 10r (5-7 3pt). pic.twitter.com/4rTgtroVAN
— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2016
KP with the flush! He's got 27 on @ESPN. #NBARapidReplay https://t.co/MELSrf4Gwh
— NBA (@NBA) November 5, 2016
.@DwyaneWade was straight ? in the first half tonight: pic.twitter.com/NujXTe1TiK
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 5, 2016