NBA Playoffs 2012: Chicago Bulls Won't Be Fazed by New York Knicks in 1st Round

A lot is being made about the sizzling New York Knicks and their victory over the Eastern Conference-leading Chicago Bulls on Sunday.

After defeating the Bulls in overtime by a score of 100-99, the Knicks have won 11 of their last 14 games, with Carmelo Anthony leading the charge.

But does anyone actually think the Knicks will beat the Bulls in a seven-game series in the first round of the playoffs?

I hope not.

First of all, this was Derrick Rose's first game back from injury. He shot 8-of-26 from the field and committed eight turnovers. You can attribute that entirely to the Knicks' defense, but that would be lying to yourself and everyone around you. There may not be another game this season that Rose plays that poorly.

Second of all, this is the third game back for veteran shooting guard Richard Hamilton. You don't think he may be a little rusty? I'm not saying Hamilton is a world-beater these days, but, c'mon, he's shot 9-of-26 in his first three games back; he's not going to shoot that poorly down the stretch.

Also, the Bulls outscored the Knicks, 46-38, in the second half, don't forget that. The Bulls forced overtime when they frankly should have lost in regulation. They were also playing the Knicks at Madison Square Garden—they will have homecourt advantage in the playoffs.

There's the prospect of Amar'e Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin coming back for the first round, but that seems doubtful, especially for Lin. But, even then, Anthony was a completely different player with Stoudemire and Lin in the lineup. His recent surge only proves that he had trouble meshing with Stoudemire and Lin. As the primary option, he does wonderfully, but as one of many scorers and playmakers, he clearly struggles. This is a running pattern throughout his career.

The Knicks' regular-season victory over the Bulls on Sunday gave frenetic New York hope. But the Bulls are a a more efficient scoring team, a better rebounding team, a better defensive team, a better three-point shooting team, a less turnover-prone team and they have the best player on the floor in Derrick Rose.

What makes you think the Knicks can overcome all of that in a seven-game series?


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