The Bulls were able to hold on to beat the New York Knicks 108-101 behind a season high 33 points from Luol Deng, but just like their last win at Madison Square Garden (110-106 on Dec. 21), the victory did not come without some late-game drama.
The Bulls were ahead as much as 24 in the final period, until the Knicks made a furious effort.
Ahead 103-84 with 2:36 remaining, the Bulls would miss four straight free throws and New York would go on a 12-0 run to pull within seven with just over a minute remaining. Marco Belinelli would make his next two free throws.
Carmelo Anthony would pull the Knicks within 106-101 with 11 seconds remaining, but two Belinelli free throws would seal the game.
The Knicks outscored the Bulls 41-26 in the final period.
Carlos Boozer added 17 points, Richard Hamilton contributed 14, and Marco Belinelli and Taj Gibson contributed 12 each off the bench, as the Bulls shot 57 percent from the field.
The Bulls held the Knicks to 29 percent shooting in the first half and led 57-36 at halftime.
After serving a one-game suspension, Carmelo Anthony return to score 39 points on 14-of-32 shooting.
Comments