Melo's Game Winner Seals Knicks' Victory

Bulls @ Knicks - April 8th, 2012

In an early afternoon game Easter Sunday, the Chicago Bulls were set to take on the Knicks. An opponent that could be a first round playoff match-up for the no. 1 overall seed in the league.





Madison Square Garden rose to its feet and erupted in a triumphant roar as Carmelo Anthony slowly lulled his defender and suddenly dropped a huge 3-pointer from well beyond the arch. And with only 8.2 seconds remaining in OT, I thought to myself, "We had this one". These words must have rung out in the minds of Bulls fans everywhere on Sunday afternoon. Which is ironic because about 3 mins earlier in the game, I'm sure every Knicks fan had that same thought. This was a game of comebacks, and it being Easter and all, this was a very fitting theme.

The Bulls were very slow out of the gates and did not have a single point in the first 3 minutes of play, thanks to a very defensive minded New York squad. The first quarter seemed to be a battle in bizzarro world: where the Bulls, who are normally known for incredible defense, gave up 31 points. While the Knicks, who until recently have been known more for their offensive prowess, put on a defensive clinic, only giving up 19. In fact, the Knicks at one point lead the Bulls by 21.

After getting into a rythm and actually playing a bit of defense themselves, Chicago was able to scrap their way back into the game after a lofty comeback effort. Also, Derrick Rose who only had 6 points in the first half, exploded in the second, hitting big shot after big shot. This was Rose's first game back after missing 12 in a row due to a groin injury. He led the bulls on a huge scoring run and at halftime, the 21 point deficit was reduced to a managable 8 point Knick lead. By the end of the third, Chicago was up by 3.

But like i said before, this was a game of constant resurrections from both teams. New York was never truly out of the game, with Carmelo in beast mode from tip off, and Shumpert crowding Rose's every move, this continued to be a chess match between two defensive minded teams, ultimatley ending up in a victory for New York. Final score: CHI-99   NY-100

This loss (though a close one) can be summed up in just two sets of statistics:
1. turnovers!!! The Bulls had 19 turnovers (including rose with 8, still shaking off the cobwebs), while NY only had 9. These include many late turnovers that caused lead to baskets, and inevitably a loss.
2. FREEEEEE THROWS!!!!!!!! The Bulls were 22-31 in free throws to the Knicks' 14-20. Anytime a team sends you to the line this much, you have to make them pay by hitting your free throws. This goes double for chances at the line in late, tight games. Deng, who had shot 4-4fts all game long, missed 2 late in the 4th. And Derrick Rose, missed 2 seconds later which would have sealed their victory. But to be fair, when does D.Rose make clutch free throws???

But on some good notes, the Bulls did lead the Knicks in every other category, including: field goal %, rebounding, second chance points, 3pt field goals, etc. Also Chicago and New York face off again Tuesday night at the United Center.  We'll get em next time boys, don't beat yourselves up too bad.