Anthony Hits 2 Clutch Shots to Beat Bulls

The New York Knicks won a hard fought battle against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday with an overtime win 100-99.  Carmelo Anthony lead the Knicks with 43pts, 7 rebs and 3 asst, while Derrick Rose lead the Bulls with 29pts 6rebs and 4asst. The Knicks had to rally back after going down 10pts in the second half forcing the game into overtime, and getting to big clutch shots from Anthony to lead them to a win.

The game was really a tale of two halves as the Knicks opened the game on fire shooting 48.5% FGM-A, and leading the game at one point by 19pts.  Despite the Knicks starting out on a hot streak, the bulls ended the first quarter on a 13-2 run.  Carmelo Anthony ended the first quarter shooting a perfect 5-5 FGM-A and scoring 19pts.  Derrick Rose started the game off slowly shooting 0-5 FGM-A and 5 turnovers.  In the second quarter the Bulls out scored the Knicks 26-22 lead by bench scoring. Derrick Rose had 7pts at halftime, and Anthony had 22pts.

In the second half the Bulls picked up their offensive and defensive intensity lead by Derrick Rose.  The Bulls shot better from the field taking mid-range shots and drawing fouls, and Rose picked up his offense scoring 14pts in the third quarter to giving him 21pts at the end of the 3Q.  Anthony offensive output declined some as the Bulls sent many double teams his way, as he ended the third with 26pts.  The Bulls outscored the Knicks 30-19 in the third quarter, and lead the game 75-72 shooting 41.3% FGM-A.  The Knicks at the end of the 3Q was shooting 39.7% FGM-A.

The Knicks opened up the 4th quarter shooting better from the field and getting help from other players in the line up.  Rookie Iman Shumpert helped the Knicks stay in the game by making key shots in several moments when the Knicks trailed.  Shumpert ended the game with 15pts 9rebs and 6asst.  The Knicks bench also picked up their offensive activity lead by JR Smith scoring 14pts, despite shooting 6-22 FGM-A, and 2-11 3PM-A.  With 5:04 left in the game, Shumpert fouled Rose on a 3pt attempt putting Rose in position for a 4pt play.  Rose hit the free throw giving him 25pts.  Towards the end of the 4th quarter Derrick Rose had two opportunities to ice the game with free throws.  Rose missed two free throws with 19.4secs left in the game, leaving Carmelo Anthony to hit a game tying shot with 11.2secs left in the game.  Rose missed another shot with 1.2secs left in the 4th sending the game into overtime.

In overtime it was a battle between the two stars as Anthony and Rose tried to lead their teams to victory.  Anthony hit a lay up w/ 1:04 left in OT giving him 40pts, and Rose scored 4pts in OT giving him 29pts.  With the Knicks trailing the game 99-97, Anthony hit another clutch 3pt shot to put his team up 100-99 with 8.2secs left in the game giving him 43pts scoring 5pts in OT, and leaving 8.2secs on the clock.  Rose attempted a jump shot that could have one the game for the Bulls but he missed leaving 0.9secs left on the clock, and the Bulls did not get up another shot.

Despite the Knicks winning the game the Bulls out rebounded the Knicks 59-47.  Bench scoring was controlled by the Knicks 36-27, and FGM-A was pretty even with the Bulls shooting 39%, and the Knicks 38%.  Carmelo Anthony shot 4-5 3PM-A (80%), 16-31 FGM-A (51%), and 7-9 FTM-A (77%).  Derrick Rose shot 8-26 FGM-A (30%), 4-8 3PM-A (50%), and 9-12 FTM-A (75%),