source:
Associated Press
When the game got tight in the fourth quarter, Derrick Rose and the visiting Bulls turned up their defensive pressure. And the streaking Nets just couldn't keep up.
Rose scored 21 points and Chicago extended its longest winning streak in six years to eight games by holding New Jersey to a season-low point total in an 84-73 victory Thursday.
"That's what we've been doing the whole year, playing defense," said Rose, who came up with a big steal and a layup in the closing minutes. "If our offense isn't going, and that rarely happens, we rely on our defense. That's what we did tonight, make it tough on them. At first, they were getting everything they wanted. Then we just closed down the paint and rebounded the ball."
Chicago, which came into the game with the NBA's second-best defense at 91 points allowed per game, held the Nets to 35 percent shooting (29-for-83).
Chicago's win streak is its longest since taking nine in a row between mid-March and early April 2005. This win gave the Bulls a half-game lead over idle Boston for best record in the Eastern Conference.
Trail Blazers 111, Cavaliers 70:
LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points and 11 rebounds before heading to the sideline late in the third quarter for host Portland. ... The Blazers led by as many as 44 points while easily surpassing their largest margin of victory this season. Gerald Wallace added 17 points for the Blazers, who had 29 assists.
Knicks 120, Grizzlies 99:
Toney Douglas tied a franchise record by making nine of New York's franchise-record 20 three-pointers, scoring 29 points at home to snap a three-game losing streak. ... Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points for the Knicks, who moved back ahead of Philadelphia into sole possession of sixth place in the Eastern Conference. ... Douglas' ninth three-pointer, with 17 seconds left, matched Latrell Sprewell and John Starks.
Briefly:
The Bulls plan to unveil a bronze bust of Scottie Pippen during halftime of a game against Boston on April 7. The Bulls will permanently display the bust at the United Center. ... LeBron James will help lead a new stay-in-school initiative called "26 Seconds," a reference to how often, according to studies, a high school student drops out.
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