The heady days of “Linsanity” are fading further from New York fans’ memories after the Knicks slumped to their sixth straight defeat with a 104-99 loss to NBA leaders the Chicago Bulls on Monday.
Jeremy Lin, whose meteoric rise from unknown benchwarmer to NBA sensation set the Knicks alight last month, scored 15 points and had eight assists, but his impact on the team continues to dwindle as New York fell into a tie with Milwaukee for eighth in the Eastern Conference.
Derrick Rose attacked Lin and the Knicks relentlessly for 32 points and seven assists, while the Bulls (35-9) abused New York in the rebounding battle to keep control.
Photo: EPA
“The whole game they had us on the offensive glass,” Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni told reporters. “We played well for long stretches, but the second-chance points got us.”
New York stayed in touch for three quarters and trailed by one point heading into the fourth, but they were overwhelmed in the crucial closing stages.
The Knicks (18-24), who enjoyed a seven-game winning streak last month, have struggled since Carmelo Anthony returned to the lineup from injury and their schedule has intensified.
Chicago, winners of 10 of their past 11 games, have had no such worries as they sit top of the NBA standings, despite nagging injuries.
Luol Deng and Richard Hamilton both missed Monday’s game, but the hosts picked up the slack with hustle and effort as the Bulls outrebounded New York 56-38 and grabbed 22 offensive rebounds.
Chicago started the fourth quarter with a 12-6 run, punctuated by a drive and monster dunk through the lane from Rose, and held the visitors off the rest of the way.
“I usually don’t dunk it, but I was just mad I wasn’t getting any calls,” Rose said. “No matter who I’m playing against, I’m trying to win the matchup.”
Taj Gibson had 15 points and 13 rebounds off the bench for the Bulls, while Carlos Boozer added 15 points.
Anthony finished with 21 and Amar’e Stoudemire tallied 20 for New York in the loss.
TIMBERWOLVES 127, SUNS 124
In Phoenix, Arizona, Kevin Love scored 13 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter as the Minnesota Timberwolves outlasted the Suns.
Nikola Pekovic scored 24 points and Derrick Williams added 19 to help the Timberwolves end a nine-game losing streak in Phoenix.
Jared Dudley scored a season-high 28 points, Steve Nash had 25 and Channing Frye added 18 for the Suns, who snapped a three-game winning streak.
Sebastian Telfair scored six points in seven seconds — converting a four-point play, then stealing the ensuing inbound pass and scoring a layup — to give the Suns a 111-107 lead with 6 minutes, 38 seconds left.
Luke Ridnour put Minnesota ahead for good, 121-120, with 1:50 to go and the Timberwolves made six straight free throws in the final 37.8 seconds.
CELTICS 94, CLIPPERS 85
In Los Angeles, Paul Pierce scored 10 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Kevin Garnett added 21 points and eight rebounds as Boston made an impressive late rally to win for the second time in their past nine road games.
Ray Allen scored 15 points, while Rajon Rondo had 12 points and 10 assists for the Celtics, who recovered after blowing a 10-point lead in the final minutes.
Blake Griffin had 24 points and nine rebounds for the Clippers, who have lost four of five while falling behind the Lakers atop the Pacific Division. Chris Paul had 14 points on three-for-12 shooting in his second game wearing a clear protective mask over his broken nose.
Monday’s other results:
‧ Jazz 105, Pistons 90
‧ Spurs 112, Wizards 97
‧ Bobcats 73, Hornets 71
‧ Bucks 105, Nets 99
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and