Noah returns to N.Y.
NEW YORK -- Back in his old neighborhood Sunday, Bulls rookie Joakim Noah was more exuberant than usual, which is saying a lot.
Noah could be heard from the bench loudly cheering his teammates in the first quarter. He was also rewarded with 17 minutes on the court. Noah didn't play at all Friday against Milwaukee, and during the Bulls' first visit to New York on Nov. 24, he spent just six minutes on the floor.
"I told our guys on the bench I wanted some enthusiasm, and they responded," coach Jim Boylan said. "The reason Joakim played today was because he's working hard in practice and he deserved an opportunity. I wanted to have a bigger body out there, and so he earned his spot."
When the game was over, Noah had calmed down only slightly inside the locker room. He lived near Madison Square Garden after moving to New York City from Paris when he was around 12.
"Hell's Kitchen, you know what I'm saying, 20 blocks away from the Garden, that's how we do it," Noah shouted. "People are over here, supporting the kid. That's how we do it -- 51st Street and 10th Avenue -- my block was here tonight."
Asked if he cheered any louder on the bench to get Boylan's attention, Noah laughed and said, "I was like, 'Yo coach, you don't understand. I have a reputation out here. Even if it's two minutes, just let me shine in the Garden lights.' "
Noah hit his only field-goal attempt and finished with 4 points and 3 rebounds.
Tyrus Thomas did not play at all against New York, while rookie center Aaron Gray played 15 minutes and was usually assigned to guard Knicks center Eddy Curry.
Curry leaves starting lineup: For the first time in two years, ex-Bulls center Eddy Curry started on the bench for the Knicks. None of the Knicks' big men were very efficient Sunday, however. Curry hit 3 of 9 shots for 12 points with 8 rebounds. Zach Randolph (18 points) started off hitting 3 of his first 16 shots before heating up slightly.
The Knicks were missing both starting guards. Stephon Marbury has been out for nearly a month while grieving his father's death. Leading scorer Jamal Crawford didn't dress either because of a bruised right hand.
Big Ben finds net: Ben Wallace knocked down 2 more free throws on Sunday, which means he's hit 14 of 16 since Dec. 7.
When the Knicks closed within 59-55 midway through the third quarter, Wallace buried a turnaround jumper to start a decisive 10-0 Bulls run. He finished with 6 points and 10 rebounds.
Bulls equal Orton: Bulls coach Jim Boylan was asked before Sunday's game about all those preseason predictions that saw the Bulls as one of the top contenders in the East.
"We were a team that was on the rise, so you become the darling," he said. "You're like the backup quarterback in town -- everybody wants him out there, yet he really hasn't proven himself completely."
Today's tipoff
Bulls vs. Orlando Magic at the United Center, 1 p.m.
TV: Channel 9
Radio: WMVP 1000-AM
Update: The Magic (21-11) sprinted to a 16-4 start after signing free agent Rashard Lewis (18.4 ppg) from Seattle over the summer. The real catalyst for Orlando, though, has been fourth-year center Dwight Howard, who is averaging 23.1 points, a league-best 15.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks. Point guard Jameer Nelson sat out the last game with a back sprain.
Fast facts: Orlando ranks second to Golden State in 3-point shots made and attempted. … The Magic has won three in a row, beating the Knicks, Heat and Bobcats. … Orlando is 14-5 on the road and 7-6 at home.
Next: Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday at Bobcats Arena, 6 p.m.
-- Mike McGraw