Luol Deng, John Salmons Lead Bulls to 98-89 Win Over Knicks

by

Dec 17, 2009

Luol Deng, John Salmons Lead Bulls to 98-89 Win Over Knicks CHICAGO — Luol Deng scored 24
points, John Salmons added 20 and the Chicago Bulls rallied from 17
down to beat the New York Knicks 98-89 Thursday night for their third
win in 14 games.

The Bulls took control with a 15-2
run in the fourth quarter. Salmons scored seven points in the final
47.7 seconds, hitting a key 3-pointer.

Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah came up
big after taking cortisone shots and the Bulls came away with a
much-needed win on a night when it appeared they would be blown out
again.

The Knicks led by as many as 17 in
the first quarter thanks to a torrid start by Al Harrington, who scored
14 of his 18 points in the period.

They were leading 79-75 about 4 1/2
minutes into the fourth when Chicago scored 10 straight points and 15
of 17, sending New York to its second consecutive loss after winning
four in a row.

Rose scored 18 after injuring his
right rib cage in Tuesday's loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, and Noah
added 15 points and nine rebounds despite tendinitis in his left
rotator cuff. Taj Gibson had 12 points, including four in the go-ahead
run.

Danilo Gallinari and ex-Bull Chris Duhon each scored 18 for New York. New York was leading by four after Gallinari's 3 with 8:35 left when Chicago took over.

Rose's layup made it 85-79 Chicago with 4:22 left, and after two free throws by Duhon, the Bulls put this one away. Rose drove for a layup and Salmons nailed a 3 with 47.7 seconds left, making it 90-81.

Gallinari made it a six-point game with another 3, then jawed with injured Bulls forward Tyrus Thomas after missing a jumper following two free throws by Salmons.

Notes
It had been nearly two years since Knicks C Eddy Curry was in uniform at the United Center, and the former Bull and Chicago product was looking forward to the game. "This is definitely one of those days I circle on my calendar," he said. Curry went 0-for-2 from the field and scored one point in 3 1/2 minutes of action. The big man has battled injuries and struggled to stay in shape. Also, his 9-month-old daughter and her mother were murdered. His young son also was at the scene but was unharmed, and a custody battle followed. … The Bulls lack an inside scorer. Curry has lacked a role with the Knicks, so could there be a reunion at some point? "Right now, I'm a New York Knick," he said. "I love my situation. I love home, also." … Knicks G Larry Hughes was inactive because of a strained left groin and is expected to miss Friday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

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