Bulls can't stop Knicks
The Chicago Bulls have struggled at times this year with too many young players in the lineup.
On Wednesday night at the United Center, New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis proved it is possible to win with a young guy.
The 7-foot-3 forward from Latvia tied his career-high with 29 points. Toss in a "what could have been" performance from former Bulls free-agent target Carmelo Anthony (24 points) and the Bulls finished on the wrong side of a 115-107 loss.
While the Knicks ended a nine-game losing streak in Chicago, the defeat knocked the Bulls (36-34) out of playoff position. They are now ninth in the East, a game behind both Indiana and Detroit, who are in a virtual tie for the eighth spot. The Bulls and Knicks meet again Thursday night at Madison Square Garden.
Inside the Bulls' locker room, Jimmy Butler suggested the blame for this loss belongs squarely on one person's shoulders - his own.
"I know this is a team game, but when one of your so-called best players is not doing what he's supposed to do, that's what's going to happen," Butler said. "I'm a realist. If I continue to play like this, I'm hurting this team."
Butler scored 7 points on 3-of-11 shooting. Pau Gasol also had a rough night, producing just 4 points and 5 rebounds in his second game back after missing four with a sore right knee. Nikola Mirotic led the Bulls with a career-high 35 points, hitting 9 of 13 shots from 3-point range.
Butler has played in six games since sitting out 14 of 15 with a sore left knee. He has had some good games in that stretch but hit 6 of 21 shots in the last two. He refused to accept the idea that it will take time to get back in a good rhythm.
"Ain't nothing wrong with me physically," Butler said. "Right now it's mental. The ball's not going in. I let that affect me on both ends of the floor. It better turn around quick because I want to help this team get to the playoffs.
"When I come back, when I step on the floor, I'm supposed to help my team win. Missing however many games, I'm supposed to be ready. I think I am. I know it will turn around. I'm very confident in that."
Based on the box score, the Bulls lost this game in the third quarter when they were outscored 35-18. New York hit 13 of 21 shots in the quarter, along with 5 of 7 from 3-point range.
After trailing by as many as 22 points, the Bulls eased into a sense of urgency in the fourth quarter. A missed dunk by rookie Bobby Portis would have helped the cause, but the Bulls climbed within 109-101 with 3:18 left. Anthony shut the door with a fadeaway 3-pointer just before the shot clock expired, then had words for some fans sitting near the Bulls' bench.
"It wasn't the third quarter, it wasn't really the fourth. It was the beginning of the game," Taj Gibson said. "Once we started exchanging baskets and letting them take whatever shot they want, once their confidence started building, they felt free to take as many shots as they could."
The Bulls have 12 games left to try to snag a playoff spot, but eight of those 12 will be on the road, which made Wednesday's missed opportunity tough to comprehend.
"I don't get it with this amount of time left, to come out with that kind of energy," coach Fred Hoiberg said.
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