Bulls hang on, complete home-and-home sweep of NY

The Bulls celebrated in Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night. But they might as well have moved the party a few blocks north to Times Square and sang a chorus of "Auld Lang Syne."

After rallying to defeat the New York Knicks 115-109, the Bulls are back above .500 and have gone 17-9 since Dec. 26. They're winning on the road, showing poise in late-game situations and are just 2 games behind Toronto for the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference.

At the same time things are rolling, though, drastic changes might be coming before the NBA's trade deadline strikes today at 2 p.m. Central time.

The first move came Wednesday night. Guard John Salmons stayed at the team hotel because of an impending deal and is expected to go to Milwaukee for a couple of veteran big man, Kurt Thomas and Francisco Elson.

The Bulls (27-26) still are hoping to make additional moves before the deadline. The goal is to clear enough cap room to sign two top-level free agents this summer - think something along the lines of Joe Johnson and Chris Bosh.

They still were discussing potential three-team deals involving Houston that would bring Tracy McGrady's massive expiring contract to the Bulls. For that to happen, Brad Miller and Tyrus Thomas would likely head to the Rockets, while Kirk Hinrich would go to the third team.

There is no guarantee any of this will happen. The Bulls are discussing several scenarios and still could be involved with the Lakers for Hinrich. But it's conceivable Derrick Rose has played his last game with several key teammates.

"In this league, things can change," Rose said after posting 27 points and 6 assists against the Knicks. "You play with one person and the next day or month, he could be gone and your team could change. It's all about business up here."

Rose didn't show much concern about the possibility the Bulls could become a less competitive team through several salary-saving moves.

"I'm not worried about that," he said. "We trust in the people in the front office. We know if they're getting somebody, the person is going to come in and help us."

The Bulls have made several significant trade-deadline deals over the years, including bringing in Salmons and Miller at this time last season. So most everyone has been through it before.

"I think besides Kirk, I've seen everyone go," Luol Deng said. "You lose them as a friend, but you understand the business side of it. It seems like every team is trying to make moves. Sometimes I don't understand it, but it's the NBA."

Added Hinrich: "It's tough whenever that happens. But when you're around long enough, you just realize that's part of the job. Especially this time of year, things happen."

One scenario that has been discussed is a three-team deal involving Sacramento. Miller and Thomas would most likely go to Houston, Hinrich to the Kings and shooting guard Kevin Martin to Houston.

That trade, or anything similar, would be a lot to give up for a risk on free agency. But the Bulls' starting lineup would remain largely intact with Rose, Deng, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah, assuming he recovers from a foot injury. McGrady would step in at two guard, while Thomas and Elson would provide the inside depth.

McGrady has played just seven games this season after recovering from knee surgery. He has been working out in Chicago and his personal trainer, Tim Grover, appeared on WMVP 1000-AM Wednesday and promised McGrady could play for the Bulls this Saturday if necessary.

A night after blowing out the Knicks by 33 points at the United Center, the Bulls had a difficult time on the road. New York (19-34) led 74-60 with 8:34 left in the third quarter before Miller sparked a comeback with consecutive driving baskets and 3-point plays.

Jannero Pargo knocked down a 3-pointer to start the fourth to put the visitors ahead and the lead grew to 91-84 on a follow slam from Thomas. The Knicks had a chance to tie in the final seconds, but Danilo Gallinari missed a pair of 3-point shots.

<p class="factboxheadblack">Mike McGraw's game tracker</p>

<p class="News">Bulls 115, Knicks 109</p>

<p class="News"><b>Sweeps week:</b> The Bulls rallied from 14 points down in the third quarter to post their second win over New York in as many days. Derrick Rose led the way with 27 points, but he wasn't the only star. Luol Deng added 23, Brad Miller scored 21, and rookie Taj Gibson piled up 16 rebounds and 14 points.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Frantic finish:</b> This game was no defensive masterpiece, but it had an intense ending. With the Bulls up by 3, New York's Italian sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari missed a pair of 3-point attempts in the final 15 seconds. The Knicks grabbed another offensive rebound, but Rose stole a pass to seal the win.</p>

<p class="News"><b>Changing faces:</b> John Salmons didn't attend the game in anticipation of a trade to Milwaukee. With the Bulls desperate to clear more cap space, the team might look very different when the NBA trade deadline hits at 2 p.m. Thursday.</p>

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<li><a href="/story/?id=360112">Teammates don't get chance to say so long to Salmons<span class="date"> [2/17/10]</span></a></li>

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