Knicks at Bulls
The New York Knicks are showing a little bit of fight as they play out what could go down as the worst season in franchise history. The Knicks will try for a victory in their road finale when they visit the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday.
Mario Hezonja continued his solid stretch run for New York with a career-high 30 points -- including a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute -- in Sunday's 113-110 win over Washington. It was the second straight home victory for the Knicks, although they've dropped nine in a row on the road and a setback at Chicago would mean that they can do no better than tie the franchise's worst all-time record (17-65 in 2014-15). "There's no quitters in this locker room, in this organization, and we're just showing we have a great chemistry going around and it resulted in a win," Hezonja told reporters. "So we're not paying attention to standings or whatever it is. We just treat it as a development year and hopefully it results in something big next year." The Bulls carry a 9-31 home record into their finale at the United Center after a 116-96 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, MSG (New York), WGN-TV (Chicago)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (16-64): Hezonja is averaging 25 points, 10.3 rebounds and seven assists over his last three games. Point guard Dennis Smith Jr. (back) returned from a three-game absence to score 15 points off the bench while impressing coach David Fizdale. "I just don't know how many teams at this point in the season have guys coming back playing hurt to help the team with a record like ours," Fizdale told reporters, "and I just think that says a lot about these young guys and the character that they have."
ABOUT THE BULLS (22-58): Chicago continues to operate without the bulk of its regular players, which has provided opportunities to others such as small forward JaKarr Sampson. The 26-year-old scored a career-high 29 points in the loss to the 76ers and is averaging 23 points on 65.8 percent shooting in three games since joining the Bulls on a 10-day contract. "It's big time," Sampson told reporters. "I'm thankful for the opportunity (coach Jim Boylen has) given me to play big-time minutes in the NBA. It's not often it happens. I've just got to take advantage of my opportunity."
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Knicks PF Henry Ellenson is averaging 13 points off the bench while hitting all three of his 3-point tries over his last two games.
2. New York finishes the regular season against Detroit at home Wednesday. The Bulls visit Philadelphia the same night.
3. The teams split a pair of earlier meetings, both at Madison Square Garden.