Chandler Shines but Knicks Fall to Bulls on a D-Rose Circus Shot

AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

In their first road game of the year the Knicks turned in a trick or treat type of performance, showing flashes of a team that can make noise in the East and looking like a team with no identity in others. Sporting their new orange alternate jerseys they took on the Bulls in Derrick Rose’s first game in Chicago since he tore his ACL against the Sixers in the 2012 playoffs. The story of the first half was the same for the Knicks; turnovers, turnovers and more turnovers. Andrea Bargnani continues to look lost on both ends of the floor racking up a remarkable three offensive fouls something he probably couldn’t replicate if he tried. Amar’e Stoudemire got his first action of the season and looked rusty to say the least scoring one basket on two attempts in limited minutes. Rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. was one of the few bright spots for the Knicks in the first half scoring seven points including one from downtown and a nice lay-in. Tyson Chandler continues to be the only constant for Coach Mike Woodson on the defensive end pulling down eight boards and scoring four points at the half. The Bulls continued to bully the Knicks in the paint with Chandler on the bench and took advantage of sloppy passing in transition buckets. Woodson has yet to get a viable back up for Chandler as Kenyon Martin is still getting his legs underneath him after not playing the whole preseason.

Both Carmelo Anthony and Bargnani started to find the range combining for 16 in third period helping the Knicks stay in striking distance heading into the fourth. The Knicks got fire at the five minute mark going on a 12-0 run sparked by Anthony and Hardaway Jr. to take a 78-76 lead. Chandler was a beast on the boards for the second consecutive night pulling down a monster 19 rebounds not including a number of his patented tip outs giving the Knicks second and third chances. A key review with 26 seconds left gave the Knicks the ball which resulted in a Noah foul on Chandler that gave the Knicks a 81-80 lead, then D-Rose acted like D-Rose sinking the game winner with five seconds left after a last minute Anthony heave was off the mark as the ‘Bockers fall 82-81 in Chi Town.