THE NEW YORK Knicks went down to the Chicago Bulls 110-106 in an ill-tempered clash at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
Tyson Chandler and Joakim Noah were ejected after a fourth-quarter altercation, while Knicks coach Mike Woodson and star forward Carmelo Anthony were also shown the door late in the game.
On the court, Luol Deng starred for the Bulls as he posted season-highs of 29 points and 13 rebounds with Marco Belinelli adding another 22 points as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games.
Anthony finished the game with 29 points with the loss representing the Knicks’ second home defeat in three games after winning their first 10 at their home court.
The Memphis Grizzlies extended their winning streak to four games as they downed the Dallas Mavericks 92-82 at home.
Rudy Gay turned in an inspired performance which saw him score 26 points to lead his team to victory, with big man Zach Randolph also pivotal in scoring 17 points of his own while grabbing 13 rebounds.
Former Memphis guard OJ Mayo had little impact on proceedings, scoring just 10 points as he found it hard to shake off the attention of Tony Allen.
Monta Ellis scored five of his 27 points in overtime as the Milwaukee Bucks beat a resurgent Boston Celtics 99-94 at the TD Garden.
The Bucks blew a seven-point lead late in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime but the away side got over the line despite 35 points from Paul Pierce to ensure their sixth win in eight games.
The San Antonio Spurs condemned the New Orleans Hornets to their 10th straight loss with a 99-94 victory in San Antonio.
Number one draft pick Anthony Davis had 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Hornets but was ultimately powerless to stop Gregg Popovich’s side, who were led by a 25-point display from point guard Tony Parker.
The LA Clippers comfortably saw off the Sacramento Kings 97-85 for their 12th consecutive win, while the Detroit Pistons snapped a six-game losing streak by smashing the Washington Wizards 100-68.
In other results, the Philadelphia 76ers brushed aside the Atlanta Hawks 99-80, the Toronto Raptors edged out the Orlando Magic 93-90, the Indiana Pacers beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-89 and the Golden State Warriors beat the hapless Charlotte Bobcats 115-100.
Watch highlights of the Bulls’ win over the Knicks:
YouTube credit: NEWNBACIRCLE
