Times wires
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
NEW YORK — Derrick Rose and the Bulls stayed in the race for the NBA's best record, beating the Knicks 103-90 on Tuesday night for their eighth straight victory.
Rose scored 26 for the Bulls, who opened the third quarter with a 26-2 spurt over seven-plus minutes and improved to 61-20.
"We came out kind of soft," Rose said. "Second half, Tibs (coach Tom Thibodeau) came in at halftime and talked to us, and we changed things."
The Bulls, who have the East's best record, were a half-game behind the Spurs for homecourt advantage throughout the playoffs. The tiebreakers are even, so a random drawing will be held if they finish with the same record as the Spurs, who played late at the Lakers.
"That's something special," former Florida Gators standout Joakim Noah said. "It's definitely something that we want, but we have to look at the bigger picture. For us, it's all about improvement and just focusing on the next opponent, and the results will take care of themselves."
Knicks star Amare Stoudemire sat out a third straight game with a sprained left ankle.
Around the league: Lakers center Andrew Bynum hyperextended his right knee in the second quarter of the late game against the Spurs. Bynum, who walked to the locker room, will have an MRI today. … Bucks center Andrew Bogut had arthroscopic surgery to remove loose particles and scar tissue from his right elbow, which he injured in a fall last season. … Hornets forward David West had successful surgery on a torn left ACL and will be out six to eight months.
Bulls 103, Knicks 90
CHICAGO (103): Boozer 5-19 4-5 14, Deng 9-16 3-4 23, Noah 3-4 7-7 13, Rose 10-19 4-5 26, Bogans 3-6 0-0 8, Brewer 0-1 0-0 0, Watson 4-6 0-0 9, Gibson 1-4 2-2 4, Asik 1-2 0-0 2, Korver 0-6 4-4 4. Totals 36-83 24-27 103.
NEW YORK (90): Anthony 8-19 4-4 21, Sha.Williams 4-11 0-0 10, Turiaf 2-2 2-4 6, Fields 4-9 0-0 8, Billups 4-10 1-1 10, Jeffries 1-1 0-1 2, Douglas 4-15 4-4 13, Walker 6-12 3-3 18, Carter 1-4 0-0 2, Brown 0-0 0-0 0, She.Williams 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 34-83 14-17 90.
Chicago 24 28 32 19— 103
New York 27 28 18 17— 90
3-Point Goals—Chicago 7-20 (Deng 2-4, Bogans 2-5, Rose 2-6, Watson 1-2, Korver 0-3), New York 8-31 (Walker 3-7, Sha.Williams 2-7, Billups 1-2, Anthony 1-6, Douglas 1-7, Fields 0-1, Carter 0-1). Fouled Out—None. Rebounds—Chicago 59 (Boozer 22), New York 43 (Anthony, Douglas 5). Assists—Chicago 20 (Deng, Boozer 4), New York 19 (Billups 8). Total Fouls—Chicago 18, New York 20. Technicals—Sha.Williams. A—19,763 (19,763).