The Sports Xchange
Dec 27, 2017
CHICAGO -- Kris Dunn scored 17 points and hit a pair of free throws with 7.8 seconds remaining, and the Chicago Bulls rallied to beat the New York Knicks 92-87 on Wednesday.
Lauri Markkanen finished with 12 points and Robin Lopez added 11 points for Chicago (12-22), which has won nine of its past 11 games. Justin Holiday, who capped the victory with two free throws in the closing seconds, also scored 11 points.
Kristaps Porzingis led New York (17-17) with 23 points, while Courtney Lee had 17 and Jarrett Jack contributed 11. The Knicks lost their third consecutive game.
Markkanen gave the Bulls an 88-86 lead with 39 seconds left after Holiday tied the game at 86 with a 3-point field goal with 3:01 remaining. David Nwaba failed to extend the lead when he missed a pair of free throws with 24.9 seconds to go, but Jack could only get the Knicks to within a point when he split a pair of free throws.
After Dunn pushed the lead to three points with his free throws, Enes Kanter -- who grabbed 11 rebounds for New York -- missed a 3-point attempt.
The Bulls got within 73-71 to start the fourth quarter behind Dunn, who scored 11 points in the third. Chicago trailed by as many as 10 points early in the third but made a run to get within a basket on a Jerian Grant jumper.
New York, which was up by as many as 15 in the first half, led 52-49 at halftime.
NOTES: Knicks G Tim Hardaway Jr. is making "consistent progress" in his rehab of a lower leg stress injury, but his return date remains unknown, the team announced Wednesday. Hardaway has been sidelined since Dec. 3 and has increased his on-court activities, including jumping. He will be re-evaluated weekly, coach Jeff Hornacek said Wednesday morning. ... Knicks F Joakim Noah, who played nine years for the Bulls, was again inactive Wednesday. Noah has been inactive for all but four games since he returned from a drug suspension in November. ... Beginning Wednesday, the Knicks will play 14 of their next 17 games on the road. ... Bulls G Zach LaVine (torn ACL) went through with a full practice with the Bulls' G League affiliate on Tuesday and is continuing his stretch of practicing six straight days. LaVine is still slated to return to game action sometime in January.