CHICAGO, Feb 3, (Agencies): Derrick Rose took over scoring duties late in the game to ensure the surging Chicago Bulls held off the New York Knicks to record a 105-102 victory at Madison Square Garden on Thursday. The Knicks (8-14) rallied from an 11-point halftime deficit to tie game at 75-75 late in the third quarter before the reigning MVP took matters into his own hands with 15 points in the fourth quarter. “I really wasn’t forcing it,” Rose told reporters. “I’m always put in that position, where I’m one of the leaders in the fourth quarter. My team mates have confidence in me to take over the game in the fourth quarter and that’s all I do is try.” New York twice trimmed the lead to one point in the fourth quarter but failed to get on level terms.

Amar’e Stoudemire missed a three-point attempt with 11 seconds remaining that would have tied the game and Carmelo Anthony’s effort from a similar distance as time expired hit the front of the rim.
“I knew we had a lot of time left,” Stoudemire said of his attempt. “Coach explained if I’m open, shoot it. I was open. Joakim (Noah) contested it. We played hard, played well. We had a chance to win.”
Rose led the Bulls with 32 points and 13 assists and Carlos Boozer and Kyle Korver each added 16 points as the Bulls improved their East-leading record to 19-6.
Anthony sparked New York’s charge with 12 of his 26 points coming in the third quarter, while his Knicks team mate Stoudemire led all scorers with 34 points and 11 rebounds.
The Bulls forged a 55-44 halftime lead, outscoring New York 22-11 to close the first half and converting 11 turnovers in the second quarter into 15 points.

Grizzlies 105, Hawks 102
In Atlanta, Memphis’ Rudy Gay scored 21 points to lead five Grizzlies players in double figures in the 105-102 win over a listless Atlanta that prevented the Hawks going clear top of the NBA’s Southeast Division.
The Grizzlies pulled away late in the first half, closing on an 18-7 run that gave the visitors a 10-point lead at the break.

Nuggets 112, Clippers 91
In Los Angeles, Danilo Gallinari scored 21 points, including all five of his 3-pointers, as Denver ended Los Angeles’ season-high four-game winning streak.
Ty Lawson added 18 points for the Nuggets, who had lost three in a row to the Clippers, their longest active losing streak against any team.

Kings 95, Trail Blazers 92
In Sacramento, Marcus Thornton scored 20 points as Sacramento won its first game in six, edging Portland.
John Salmons had a season-high 19 for the Kings, who had lost 12 of their previous 13 against the Blazers, but ran off five straight points late in the game for a lead that held up as the visitors missed two 3-pointers in the final 10 seconds.

Spurs 93, Hornets 81
In San Antonio, Tim Duncan scored 19 points to lead San Antonio past New Orleans to to its third straight win.
A night after Duncan scored 25 in a win over Houston, it was somewhat surprising that he even played. Coach Gregg Popovich has vowed to limit the 35-year-old’s minutes and playing the West’s worst team seemed to invite a night off.
But the Hornets didn’t make it easy. Carly Landry scored 17 points and the visitors kept it close before the Spurs blew out the game in the fourth, condemning New Orleans to its 12th loss in 13 games.

Warriors 119, Jazz 101
In Oakland, Stephen Curry scored 29 points and had a season-high 12 assists to lead Golden State over Utah.
Monta Ellis added 33 points for the Warriors. He and Curry, who were on the bench for most of the fourth quarter in Tuesday’s win over Sacramento, didn’t get much of a rest against the Jazz while leading the Warriors to their highest point total of the season.
Tony Parker had 18 for the Spurs, who improved to an NBA-best 12-1 at home. They need to stockpile all the home wins they can: After hosting Oklahoma City on Saturday, the Spurs won’t be back home for three weeks due to the San Antonio Rodeo.