Knicks can't run with Bulls again in loss

Knicks can't run with Bulls again in loss

Tannen Maury/EPA

Carmelo Anthony (r.) and the Knicks can't get the win over Carlos Boozer (l.) and the Bulls.

BULLS 98, NY KNICKS 86

CHICAGO There were no late heroics from Carmelo Anthony on this night. The hole the Knicks dug for themselves against the Bulls, who were without Derrick Rose no less, was too deep.

And now the fun really begins.

The Bulls 98-86 victory Tuesday night sets the stage for a pivotal game Wednesday night in Milwaukee, with the Bucks one game behind the Knicks for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Its a must-win, Anthony said after the Knicks fell to 29-28. Its probably one of the biggest games of the season.

It was a lost night for the Knicks in every way imaginable. Atlantic Division-leading Boston won in Miami and is now four games ahead of Mike Woodsons club with eight games left. Philadelphia also won, beating the Nets in Newark, and moved back into seventh place in the conference.

More importantly, the Knicks are in a dogfight with Milwaukee, which has already won two of three games against them. A Bucks win Wednesday would give Milwaukee the season series and sole possession of eighth place.

We have to approach it like its a Game 7, Tyson Chandler said. We have our future in our hands.

The game w ill test the Knicks mentally and physically. It will be their third game in four nights, plus they have a short turnaround considering that this nights game ended at 12:10 p.m. Eastern time, and Wednesday nights tipoff is at 8.

It is what it is, Anthony said. We asked for it when we were in the (NBA labor) meetings in the offseason so we cant complain about it now.

Anthony had another big scoring game with 29 points on 11-for-19 shooting. The rest of his teammates, however, shot 20-for-54. J.R. Smith scored 14 off the bench, while Iman Shumpert, who was in foul trouble all night, added 12 and Tyson Chandler finished with 10 points and 15 rebounds.

The Bulls, who are now 16-7 without Rose, were led by Richard Hamilton, who scored 18 of his 20 points in the third quarter. Luol Deng scored 19, and Carlos Boozer had 10 points and eight rebounds as Chicago improved to 44-14. Kyle Korver scored 11 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter for th e Bulls.

Chicago outscored the Knicks 25-10 in the second quarter to take control of the game and led for the final 32 minutes

The Knicks 10-point second quarter put them behind 47-35 at halftime. It was the type of 12-minute stretch that underscores their need for Amare Stoudemire, who has missed eight straight games with a back injury, to return. Anthony cant carry the load all the time, and Tuesday was a perfect example of the Knicks being unable to function when Woodson tries to rest their leading scorer.

The Knick bench went a combined 2-for-12 in the half, with Steve Novak going 0-for-4. Meanwhile, Chicagos reserves scored 20 first-half points, including seven by third-string point guard John Lucas III.

Lucas was pressed into action with Rose missing his 23rd game. Rose injured his ankle in Sundays overtime loss to Knicks after missing Chicagos previous 12 games with a groin injury.

The Bulls have managed to retain the top seed in the Eastern Conference despite the leagues reigning MVP missing substantial time.

Hopefully he comes back sooner than later, Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said.

With Rose struggling to stay healthy, the Bulls could be a vulnerable first-round opponent. The Knicks, who have lost both meetings to current No. 2 seed Miami this season, wont admit it but they would prefer to draw Chicago in the playoffs.

A lot of that has to do with the Knicks best player finally regaining his form. After battling through injuries all season and struggling to adjust to Mike DAntonis point-guard oriented system, Anthony has been at the top of his game since Woodson became head coach.

Physically, I feel great, he said. Nothing is bothering me. I feel 100. Mentally, I feel great.

I think a lot of times when youre going through injuries and things like that it can affect you mentally. But now Im just coping. Im go od. The game has become fun for me right now. And Im enjoying every moment of it.