Saturday, December 15, 2007
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Deng, Hinrich Lead Bulls Over Knicks

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[December 15, 2007]  CHICAGO (AP) -- Luol Deng scored 29 points, Kirk Hinrich delivered the second triple-double of his career, and the Chicago Bulls hung on to beat the Knicks 101-96 on Friday, handing New York its fifth straight loss.

The Bulls' 16-point fourth-quarter lead shrank to 3 in the final minute. But Hinrich hit four free throws in the final 23 seconds and Ben Gordon added two more to help seal the win.

The lead was down to 88-82 after Zach Randolph's jumper with 4:45 left in the game, but it was back to 92-82 - after two baskets by Deng.

The Knicks weren't finished, though.

Randolph's 3-pointer made it 95-92 with 25 seconds left, and the Bulls were still sweating after Hinrich hit two free throws because New York's Nate Robinson answered with a layup.

Finally, Gordon converted both free throws to make it 99-94 with 16.2 seconds left, and Hinrich hit two more with 8.4 remaining.

It was a much-needed win for the Bulls and another disappointing loss for New York.

Deng scored 23 points in the second half, and finished with 10 rebounds.

Hinrich finished with 15 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds. His only other triple-double was against Golden State on Feb. 28, 2004.

Zach Randolph led New York with 27 points and 15 rebounds. Fred Jones scored 22, and Jamal Crawford added 18.

[to top of second column]

Stephon Marbury missed his third straight game, and forward Quentin Richardson sat out with a strained tendon in his right knee after missing the second half of Wednesday's 117-110 loss to Seattle.

Former Bulls player Eddy Curry missed all five shots he took and did not score. He spent most of the first quarter on the bench after picking up two fouls in the game's first 2:46 and played a total of 13:19.

Notes:@ Bulls F Tyrus Thomas served a one-game suspension for striking the Pacers' Troy Murphy during the second quarter of Wednesday's game at Indiana. Thomas took exception to a hard foul by Murphy and responded by shoving him in the face. Murphy swung back, resulting in a $10,000 fine. "I didn't really have a problem with it," Bulls coach Scott Skiles said. "I've looked at it so many times. Tough call." ... Hinrich was 4-for-4 from the foul line and has made 27 consecutive free throws.

[Associated Press; By ANDREW SELIGMAN]

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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