Knicks kick off second half with 113-111 win over Bulls in OT

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The Knicks returned from the All-Star break on Thursday night with a 113-111 win over the Chicago Bulls to begin the second half of the season on a high note.

Here are the takeaways…

-After more than a week off (for most), New York was still without OG Anunoby as he missed his sixth straight game while dealing with a right foot sprain. Joining Anunoby on the bench was Josh Hart (patellofemoral syndrome) who was questionable to play in the team’s first half finale on Feb. 12 but ultimately suited up. So, without two of his starters, head coach Tom Thibodeau went with a rotation of Jalen Brunson, Miles McBride, Precious Achiuwa, Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns.

-Shorthanded and perhaps still feeling the effects of the long break, the Knicks’ offense couldn’t get much of anything going in the opening quarter and was limited to 19 points — just the sixth time they were held to under 20 points in the first quarter this season.

-Looking eager to do their best All-Star Game impression, both teams tried their luck from distance in the early going and combined for 30 three-point attempts in the first quarter. However, neither team had the winning ticket as New York went 4-for-12 from deep while Chicago went an even worse 5-for-18 from downtown.

-Without two of their more active players on the glass, especially Hart, the Knicks were outrebounded by the Bulls 22-16 in the opening 12 minutes, although the chances were there with so many missed shots. In the end, Chicago entered the second quarter with a 21-19 lead after a very first-game-back-from-break type of start.

-New York’s offense began to find its groove in the second quarter, highlighted by Brunson’s 13. His supporting cast helped as well and even Ariel Hukporti scored (assisted by Brunson). Hukporti saw 17 minutes and had two points, five rebounds and a vicious block in the fourth quarter. Overall, the Knicks’ bench scored just 12 points (compared to 33 points by the Bulls’ bench) with the starters doing the bulk of the heavy lifting, as usual.

New York went into halftime with a 50-43 lead.

-Speaking of heavy lifting, after a quiet first half, Towns came alive…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/article/knicks-kick-off-second-half-032526367.html

Author : SNY

Publish date : 2025-02-21 03:25:00

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