Anthony erupts for 43, lifts NY past Bulls
Carmelo Anthony scored a season-high 43 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 8.2 seconds in overtime, as the host New York Knicks eked out a dramatic 100-99 win over the Chicago Bulls. Anthony also nailed a 3-pointer with 11.2 seconds in regulation to force the extra session and rally the Knicks from a 10-point deficit after they had coughed up an early 21-point lead. Rookie Iman Shumpert added 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists to help New York spoil Derrick Rose’s return and move one game ahead of Milwaukee for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Rose, back in the lineup after a 12-game absence, scored 29 points to pace the Bulls, who still own an NBA-best 43-14 mark and 21-8 record away from home.
Chicago had seemingly completed the stunning comeback when Rose converted a four-point play and Taj Gibson hit a jumper for a 91-81 lead with 3:45 left in regulation. New York responded with a 10-0 run to force overtime, taking advantage of two missed free throws each by Luol Deng and Rose, and tied it on Anthony’s long 3-pointer. Anthony got New York off to a spectacular start, hitting his first five shots in sparking his team to a 27-6 lead. Chicago methodically chipped away and closed within 53-45 at halftime before Rose came alive in the third quarter. The league’s reigning MVP scored 14 points as the Bulls forged ahead 75-72 entering the fourth. Chicago outscored the Knicks 30-19 in the third and took its first lead with 35 seconds left.
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