CHICAGO -- Blue-chip rookie Lauri Markkanen had a sizzling Madison Square Garden debut by scoring 33 points to lead the Chicago Bulls to a thrilling 122-119 double overtime win over the New York Knicks on Wednesday night.
The 7-foot, 230-pound power forward swished eight 3s to pace the Bulls, who shot 45.9 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from long distance. Chicago, which held New York to 14 fourth-quarter points, also made 17 of 20 free throws to improve their record to 15-27.
Kristaps Porzingis finished with 24 points and six rebounds while Michael Beasley had 25 off the bench. Jarrett Jack and Courtney Lee combined for 32 points, but it wasn't enough to repel the Bulls, who got 20 points each from Denzel Valentine and Robin Lopez plus 16 points from Justine Holiday. Kris Dunn chipped in 9 points and 8 assists.
The loss dropped the Knicks to 19-22 and pushed them two games behind for a playoffs berth in the Eastern Conference. They hope to cover some ground when they visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at the Target Center.
The Bulls, meanwhile, take the next two days off before hosting the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night at the United Center. That game will mark the season debut of Bulls guard Zach LaVine who is recovering from a torn ACL.
Photo: Rookie Lauri Markkanen showed poise beyond his years on Wednesday night, dropping 33 points at the Madison Square Garden where the Chicago Bulls outlasted the New York Knicks in double overtime.
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