Shooting Forward DeMar DeRozan was the main performer for the Bulls as the team collapsed dropping a six-point lead with the Knicks ending up snatching the win. DeRozan racked up a great 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists. It proved insufficient as the Chicago Bulls (39-43) collapse dropping a six-point lead in the third quarter against the New York Knicks (50-32) and losing 120-119 away from home at Madison Square Garden. The Chicago Bulls came into this game in pretty good form with two consecutive wins, more recently edging out the Washington Wizards with a score of 129-127 away from home at Capital One Arena. While the Knicks came into this game in incredible form undefeated, they now have five wins on the spin, their last win coming against the Brooklyn Nets with a close win of 111-107.
The last time these teams faced each other was earlier in the month on Tuesday, April 9th, where the Knicks were victorious and dominated the Bulls 128-117 where Bulls Shooting Forward DeMar DeRozan was once again the main performer for his side with 34 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists. The Chicago Bulls hoped for a different result this time around, but the Knicks once again came out on top after a crazy collapse by the Bulls; however, the Bulls were able to thankfully via a combination of season and other party results confirm their placed in a play-in matchup.
First half was tight, Bulls trailed but kept themselves in it
The first half was a hard-fought one for the Bulls as they were trailing but kept themselves in by grit and fight. They ended the first quarter trailing by one as the quarter ended 29-28. DeRozan was the best man on the court that quarter for the Bulls with 11 points and 1 assist while Point Guard Jalen Brunson and Shooting Guard Donte DiVincenzo were the main men for the Nets with 10 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist each.
The second quarter saw the Bulls trailing but still continuing to fight to tie the game or even lead, as they finished the second quarter trailing by six, with the score at 21-15, and at the half, they were in down by three, 50-47. For the Bulls, it was Center Nikola Vucevic providing the difference as he put in 11 points and 6 rebounds, but for the Nets it was once again DiVincenzo who finished with 7 points 1 rebound, and 1 assist.
A dramatic chain of events that ends with Knicks win
Billy Donovan’s Bulls side continued to fight during the second half till the final buzzer noise, but for all their efforts they were dramatically left without a point after collapsing dropping a six-point lead, and the Knicks ended with the win. At the end of the third quarter, the Bulls where able to fight and take the lead, with the third quarter score ending in the Bulls favor, 32-29, and the overall score with the Bulls leading by six points, 82-76. DeRozan once again lead the way with Point Guard Coby White also putting a good performance with both putting in 8 points and an assist, while for the Knicks it was Brunson once again who put up 17 points and 2 rebounds.
The fourth quarter ended in the Knicks’ favor 44-37, as the Bulls collapsed dropping a six-point third-quarter lead with the Knicks winning, 120-119. DeRozan was the best performer for the Bulls as he finished the quarter with 30 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. While for the Knicks it was Brunson who finished with 40 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists.
Star of the Game
Point Guard Jalen Brunson secures the final regular season “Star of the Game” as he racked up a nice 40 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists. The Villanova product and 33rd overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft by the Dallas Mavericks was the best player on the court by far, with his contributions securing the victory for the Knicks. Brunson is proud to have helped his team finish on a high in the final game and give pride to the city of New York.
What’s Next?
The Bulls will want to bounce back and return to winning ways as they play the NBA Play-In for the Eastern Conference as the 9th-place seed against the 10th placed, Atlanta Hawks today, Wednesday, April 17th at 9:30 pm EST at home at United Center.
The New York Knicks will look to brew something positive and continue on their good run of now five consecutive games undefeated from this win as they await their opponent for the 2024 NBA Playoffs with their first game programmed on Saturday, April 20th at 6 p.m. EST.
