Knicks make it six consecutive wins as they continue late push for playoffs.
There were six games on the NBA schedule on Saturday night, with the Chicago Bulls picking up another win which moves them closer to the third seed in the Eastern Conference.
Despite previously insisting that he wasn’t particularly fond of the MVP chants that ring around the United Center when he makes big plays, Joakim Noah continued his MVP level of play on Saturday night as he guided his team to the win over the Sacramento Kings.
Noah insists that individual accolades mean little to him as he is primarily focused on helping the team win, but with 23 points and 11 rebounds as well as eight assists, five blocked shots and three steals, he was undoubtedly the star of the show again.
Taj Gibson, Mike Dunleavy and D.J. Augustin all played their roles with the Bulls improving to 37-29 which leaves them just a game behind the Toronto Raptors in third.
Gibson continues to be a real bonus point for coach Tom Thibodeau off the bench, as the forward teams up well with Noah to dominate the front court and was ultimately too much for DeMarcus Cousins who had 25 points and 14 rebounds.
Elsewhere, in the East, the New York Knicks made it six consecutive wins with their victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, with Carmelo Anthony going for 23 points and seven rebounds.
It’s now a season-best winning streak for the Knicks who are applying late pressure for that last playoff spot, and with Phil Jackson set to return to the franchise on Tuesday, things are beginning to look more positive.
However, there is also the argument that they have had a favourable schedule over the past week, while the Atlanta Hawks maintained their three-and-a-half game lead with their win over the Denver Nuggets.
The Indiana Pacers are fighting for a completely different prize and with the Miami Heat stumbling their way through the final stretch of the regular season, Frank Vogel’s men almost did the same on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons.
However, 30 points for Paul George helped them overcome a 25-point deficit to beat the Pistons in overtime, which in turn stretches their lead at the top of the East to three-and-a-half games with Miami playing the Houston Rockets on Sunday night.
NBA Results:
Milwaukee Bucks 94-115 New York Knicks
Brooklyn Nets 94-101 Washington Wizards
Denver Nuggets 92-97 Atlanta Hawks
Indiana Pacers 112-104 Detroit Pistons
Memphis Grizzlies 103-77 Philadelphia 76ers
Sacramento Kings 87-94 Chicago Bulls
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