NEW YORK — The Chicago Bulls lost a crucial game and a chance to strengthen their playoff hopes.
Carmelo Anthony scored 23 points, and the New York Knicks snapped the Bulls’ four-game win streak with a 100-91 victory on Tuesday night.
Courtney Lee had 14 points for New York, and Maurice Ndour added 13 points and 12 rebounds in his first career start. The Knicks (30-48) had dropped seven of nine.
The Bulls (38-40) shot just 38.1 per cent from the field and committed 15 turnovers. They dropped into a tie with Indiana for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference, just a half-game ahead of idle Miami.
All-Star Jimmy Butler scored 26 points for Chicago, and Nikola Mirotic had 21 points and 10 rebounds.
"We didn’t come out with the fire that we needed to," Butler said. "They came out like they were playing for something and we didn’t. They whooped our tail in every aspect of the game."
The Knicks grabbed control in the second quarter, outscoring the Bulls 25-16 for a 54-40 halftime lead.
New York shot 55 per cent from the field in the first half, compared to 33 per cent for Chicago.
Anthony then scored eight points in the third quarter to help New York to an 80-64 advantage heading into the final period.
"I thought we came out and kind of got them out of their comfort zone, kind of speed their game up," Anthony said. "Tonight was just one of those games where we started off good and sustained it throughout the course of the game. We finished the game today."
Justin Holiday had 12 points for the Knicks, and Mindaugas Kuzminskas finished with 11. Kyle O’Quinn grabbed 12 rebounds, helping New York to a 53-36 advantage on the glass.
"Look at the numbers on the glass," Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg said. "That tells you everything you need to know. They just had their way with us."
TIP-INS
Bulls: Anthony Morrow scored 15 points, and Robin Lopez had 11. … G Dwyane Wade is testing his fractured right elbow in hopes of returning for the playoffs. "If we’re fortunate enough to get in, obviously everyone will welcome Dwyane back if he’s ready to come," Hoiberg said. "You look at the playoff experience, it’s so important. We’re playing a lot of young guys, both our first- and second-round rookies, are getting a lot of minutes right now. To have someone that’s been there, not only in the playoffs but who has won championships, that’s invaluable to have on your roster."
Knicks: Kristaps Porzingis (sore lower back), Lance Thomas (sore right hip) and Derrick Rose (torn meniscus, left knee) were sidelined by Injuries.
UP NEXT
Bulls: Visit Philadelphia on Thursday for the third stop of a four-game trip.
Knicks: Host Washington on Thursday. New York then hits the road for the final time this season against Memphis on Friday.
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