Chicago Bulls and Big Shot Larry Win A Key Game Against The Knicks

It has been a long time since a home win against the New York Knicks could be described as anything more than a given. But the Bulls victory last night was a big one.

The Knicks rolled into town with an identical record as the Bulls. Both teams are hovering at the bottom of Eastern Conference playoff picture. In what is sure to be a dogfight to get into the postseason, for Vinny Del Negro’s team, this is the type of game that can help you in the standings come April.

Make no mistake about it; under new coach Mike D‘Antoni, the New York Knicks have a good thing going. They dumped some dead weight salaries and some “me-first superstars.” What they have now is a young and energetic team that has bought into their coach’s run-and-gun style. This team will be in the playoff hunt with the Bulls. 

Another important thing about last night’s win is that the Bulls won a close game with contributions from across the board. It was truly a team effort in a tightly contested fourth quarter.

Loul Deng continued to emerge from his early season coma to lead the way for much of the game.

But the solid play of Drew Gooden, Derrick Rose, and the clutch shooting of Larry Hughes was what mattered down the stretch.

This was the type of game that the Bulls could have let get away. This was exactly the type of game the Bulls have been letting get away for the last three or four years. But every time the Bulls lead evaporated and the Knicks looked prime to take control of the game, someone different stepped up for the Bulls.

Derrick Rose had a highlight drive to the lane midway through the fourth at a crucial point.  Even Ben Gordon, in the midst of an atrocious shooting night, hit a big one down the stretch. 

And Larry Hughes? 

It might be time to start calling him “Big Shot Larry” if he keeps this up. It wasn’t just his game-winner with less than 30 seconds left; he also hit some big jumpers to pace the Bulls down the stretch.

Last night we saw the Bulls win a close game against a team that they will be contending with for a playoff spot. They won with contributions from all over the court and they did it when it counted. I can’t remember the last time they didn’t let a game like that one slip away.