Knicks snap Bulls' four-game win streak
NEW YORK -- Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points to lead the New York Knicks to a 100-91 win over Chicago on Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden, snapping the Bulls' four-game winning streak.
New York (30-48) swept the series with Chicago 3-0. The Knicks will attempt to win two straight for the first time since Dec. 20-22 when they host the Washington Wizards on Thursday.
The Bulls (38-40) wasted an opportunity to stabilize their position in the Eastern Conference playoff picture, leaving themselves one-half game ahead of ninth-place Miami. Chicago, though, plays its final four games against non-playoff teams.
Courtney Lee added 14 points and Maurice Ndour, filling in for Kristaps Porzingis, had 13 points and 12 rebounds. Porzingis was out with a sore lower back.
The Bulls received 26 points from Jimmy Butler and 21 points and 10 rebounds from Nikola Mirotic.
The Knicks maintained a double-digit lead throughout most of the fourth quarter until Chicago got within 95-86 on a Mirotic putback with 2:14 left.
Anthony's 3-pointer after he dodged Mirotic with a crossover gave the Knicks a 67-46 cushion with 6:06 left in the third quarter.
New York outscored Chicago 25-16 in the second for a 54-40 halftime lead.
The Knicks opened the second quarter on a 9-0 run to move ahead 38-24. Chicago's first basket didn't come until there was 6:36 left in the quarter.
New York shot 67 percent from the field in the first quarter and led 29-24 behind 10 points from Anthony.
Rajon Rondo assisted on eight of Chicago's 10 baskets in the quarter and pulled down five rebounds.
NOTES: Bulls G Jimmy Butler was named the NBA’s Eastern Conference Player of the Week for the third time this season. He is the first Bull to earn three Player of the Week honors since Michael Jordan in 1997-98. ... In Sunday's victory at New Orleans, the Bulls had a season-high 32 fast-break points and managed to score 23 points off the Pelicans' 12 turnovers. ... The Bulls lead the league in attendance with an average of 21,659. Chicago has led the NBA in home attendance for seven straight seasons. ... Knicks G and former Chicago MVP Derrick Rose is out for the rest of the season with a torn meniscus. ... Knicks F Kristaps Porzingis is the only player in the NBA this season to have at least 1,195 points, 470 rebounds, 130 blocks and 110 3-pointers.