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The Battle of Kursk was the largest tank battle in human history.
Was. The 21-56 Chicago Bulls, now 21-57 after falling to the 15-win New York Knicks, started these.
It's about that time in New York. Let's do this, #BullsNation!
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 1, 2019
: Knicks
: @NBCSChicago
: WIND-AM-560
: https://t.co/5Rfr6jMgh9
: https://t.co/qdiUv3xDef #RunWithUs pic.twitter.com/KDD8H81Jk2
That’s like Ringo Starr doing open mic with four randos he met at a farmer’s market. Clyde Frazier called them “an eclectic group of players.” Team Eclectic was septic and the Knicks took advantage.
The game started back and forth, but after a 15-all tie New York went on a 22-2 run that proved decisive. Also decisive: Mitchell Robinson. It’s not just that April Fool’s Day baby Robinson tips so many shots from 20+ feet out. It’s that he generally destroys them.
Birthday block pic.twitter.com/kprUVdTIW2
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 1, 2019
The Bulls, losers of 12 of 15, fourth-worst record in the league a year after losing two-thirds of their games and missing Lauri Markkanen, Zach LaVine, Otto Porter, Wendell Carter Jr. and Kris Dunn were featuring April Fool’s Day baby and poster child Robin Lopez in their offense. It was working.
Robin Lopez has 10 already - all were inside the paint so far pic.twitter.com/x8IMGB2fo1
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 2, 2019
But 22-2 runs are basically a universal panacea.
.@KevKnox with the , @wholeteamDot with the pic.twitter.com/dPWZjh4XQ8
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 1, 2019
The Knicks got out to a 28-point lead, their biggest of the season and just the fifth time all year they’ve been up 20+. Isn’t that something? It really was like a dream. You know it’s a whupping when you see guys comfortable doing things you never see them try against legit competition.
KAD3️⃣3️⃣M pic.twitter.com/OpxLuhGMew
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2019
Chicago’s players’ chests feature beating hearts, though, and they’d cut the lead in half. Luke Kornet got dunked on by St. John’s alum* JaKarr Sampson (*alum = played there more than one year but fewer than four...or three).
JaKarr Sampson just did Kornet dirty pic.twitter.com/24rukgaaED
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) April 2, 2019
Alas. Luketh learneth.
BIG LUKE pic.twitter.com/nvgnxsLNgp
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2019
Dot was hot, too.
.@wholeteamDot just can't stop hitting 3️⃣s ☔ pic.twitter.com/A59aBqeTv8
— NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) April 2, 2019
Dot and Luke blank’d the blank from deep, hitting 11 of 14 beyond the arc.
The Knicks have now hit 16 threes I am at a loss for words pic.twitter.com/5zLXHg7ARi
— The Knicks Wall (@TheKnicksWall) April 2, 2019
Late in the third Mitchell looked to have hurt his foot, and perhaps seeing Goliath stumble, the Bulls cut the gap to 5 in the fourth. Perhaps getting off to such a big lead caused the Knicks to grow relaxed. A little too relaxed?
Lmaooooooooooooo look how pissed Mitch gets when DeAndre tickles his knee pic.twitter.com/742m68fnYH
— Posting and Toasting (@ptknicksblog) April 2, 2019
The Knicks got the Bulls in the penalty early in the fourth. A godsend? Pro’ly. Another godsend = Robinson. It’s at the point where when a guard or wing isolates against him on the perimeter, especially with the shot clock under 10, you know they’re not getting a shot off. They may as well hold the ball and accept the 24-second violation; at least then there’s no risk of the block leading to a fast break.
Incredible defensive sequence here from Mitchell Robinson.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) April 2, 2019
Ridiculous athleticism from a 7-footer.
Don’t. Shoot. Jumpers. Around. Mitch pic.twitter.com/AlFsOrl2qr
Let’s see that again in super slow-motion.
This man is a blocking machine
— Knicks Film School (@KnickFilmSchool) April 2, 2019
No place on the court is safe pic.twitter.com/xjyW38GsAf
Seven points late from Emmanuel Mudiay, who shot poorly before a late flourish, equaled winning time. The Knicks won the game. They winning the war, too?
Two of Knicks' five starters in tank-off tonight were acquired with 2nd-round picks owned at some point by #Bulls
— Cody Westerlund (@CodyWesterlund) April 2, 2019
Damyean Dotson, 2017 2nd-round pick (Derrick Rose trade)
Mitchell Robinson, 2018 2nd-round pick (Cam Payne trade between CHI-OKC, Carmelo trade between NY-OKC) https://t.co/EGYae1CYGD
Alex Wolfe with your recap in the morning. Ask yourself which of the seven deadly sins you’re most guilty of committing. Ask what you could change to improve on that.