|
 Pau Gasol returned from a four-game layoff to produce 14 points
and 14 rebounds as Chicago rallied past the Sacramento Kings on
Monday 109-102, improving to 3-0 on the homestand and holding onto
the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
"Earlier in the year, it probably would have slipped," guard Derrick
Rose - who had 18 points - told reporters. "We're just finding ways
to win, just winning games somehow." The Bulls have won nine
straight at home against the Knicks, including a 108-81 win in the
previous meeting on New Year's Day. Playing without All-Star Carmelo
Anthony (migraine), New York fell 88-80 against the Kings on Sunday,
its third straight defeat - each while scoring fewer than 90 points.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN, MSG (New York), WPWR (Chicago)
ABOUT THE KNICKS (28-43): As New York searches for positives amid
another losing season filled with off-the-court drama, it sees
rookie Jerian Grant provide occasional glimpses of potential. After
barely playing in a loss to Washington on Saturday, Grant emerged to
score 14 points and grab a pair of steals off the bench versus
Sacramento. The Notre Dame product is shooting a respectable 47
percent since the All-Star break - after posting a 34.9 percent mark
before it - while also experiencing sharp improvements from beyond
the arc (from 14.8 percent to 29.4) and from the foul line (78.3 to
92.9).
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ABOUT THE BULLS (36-33): Gasol's return allowed Chicago to showcase
its projected preseason starting lineup - Gasol, Rose, Jimmy Butler,
Taj Gibson and Mike Dunleavy - for just the second time this season
(2-0), but coach Fred Hoiberg said some are still dealing with
minutes restrictions and he doesn't want to push the issue. "We want
to make sure we have these guys, protect them for the long haul,"
Hoiberg told reporters. "If we are fortunate to get in, we want to
have these guys ready to play. As of right now, we'll keep it the
way it is and hopefully gradually take the limits off." Butler had
23 points, six assists and zero turnovers in the win over New York
on Jan. 1.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. Gasol needs one more double-double to record 40 for the fifth
time in seven seasons.
2. Knicks PF Kristaps Porzingis is shooting 31.3 percent from the
floor over a six-game stretch.
3. Following the homestand, Chicago plays eight of its final 12
games on the road.
PREDICTION: Bulls 99, Knicks 88
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