Knicks 107, Bulls 91
NEW YORK -- Forward Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points and the New York Knicks returned to .500 with a relatively stress-free 107-91 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Saturday night.
Anthony made 12 of 20 shots from the field and helped the Knicks lead for the final 38-plus minutes on a night when they shot 50 percent from the floor.
Guard Arron Afflalo added 18 points, forward Lance Thomas contributed 13 and rookie forward Kristaps Porzingis had 10 for the Knicks, who improved to 14-14 and reached the break-even point for the fourth time. The last time was when they were 8-8 on Nov. 25 before losing six times in eight games until last Saturday's two-point win in Portland.
Joakim Noah made his first start at center for Chicago and scored a season-high 21 points. He started while Pau Gasol rested after playing 48 minutes in Friday's four-overtime loss.
Rookie forward Bobby Portis added 20 points and guard Jimmy Butler added 12 for the Bulls. Butler was 4 of 11 from the field and, combined with Derrick Rose, Chicago's starting backcourt was 7 of 21 while the Bulls shot 39 percent.
The Knicks won their third straight game when they held a double-digit lead at some point and matched a season best with their fourth straight victory. They held the double-digit lead for most of the final three quarters against a fatigued opponent that did not arrive at its New York hotel until 4:15 a.m. EST.
The Knicks seemed like the sluggish team early, giving up the game's first six points and falling behind 12-2 three minutes in. New York never trailed after Anthony's driving layup with 2:18 remaining in the first quarter and steadily increased its lead.
The Knicks took a 10-point lead at halftime and expanded it to 75-58 with about three minutes left in the third quarter before settling for a 77-68 lead when Portis hit a 3-pointer right before the buzzer.
New York began sealing the win by scoring on its first four possessions of the fourth quarter, upping its lead to 85-68 lead on a fast-break layup by reserve guard Langston Galloway a little over two minutes in.
Chicago got within 91-79 about midway through the fourth quarter, but the Knicks officially sealed it when Afflalo's 18-footer extended the margin to 97-79 with 5:33 left.
NOTES: Chicago C Joakim Noah made his first start of the season in place of Pau Gasol, who was rested after Friday's marathon loss to the Detroit Pistons. ... Bulls rookie F Bobby Portis did not play Friday and has played only 4:25 in Chicago's last five games, with those minutes coming during Monday's blowout of Philadelphia. ... According to an ESPN report, the Knicks are interested in backcourt upgrades. The report mentioned Brandon Jennings, Kevin Martin and Jamal Crawford but also said the team is not interested in making a move that would impact future salary cap flexibility.