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Knicks-Bulls Preview

Dec 31, 2015 - 8:52 PM When they last faced one another two weeks ago, the Chicago Bulls appeared to be in turmoil while the New York Knicks were riding a season high-tying winning streak.

The tide has since turned for both teams heading into a New Year's Day rematch.

While Chicago's Derrick Rose uncertain to play, the Knicks hope to stay focused under difficult circumstances Friday night when they look to end a nine-game skid at the United Center.

Carmelo Anthony had 27 points on Dec. 19 when New York (15-18) cruised to a 107-91 home win over the Bulls that capped a four-game run in which the club averaged 108.3 points.

The Knicks dropped their next four while scoring just 93 per game, then improved to 11-2 when putting up at least 100 as they ended their skid in Tuesday's 108-96 home win over Detroit.

Anthony led six players in double figures with 24 points as New York shot 54.4 percent.

The mood changed early Wednesday when the Knicks learned Cleanthony Early was shot in the leg by masked robbers who demanded his ''gold'' as he left a strip club at 4:30 a.m.

Coach Derek Fisher said Early's injuries weren't life-threatening. The theft comes about 10 days after Derrick Williams was robbed of $617,000 in jewelry from his home.

''We talked to our guys about the situation, just reminded them how serious this is and that there are certain things that come with being visible in terms of being a public figure,'' he said.

The Knicks will certainly have Early on their minds as they look to end their woes in Chicago. They've dropped 24 of their last 27 games there and haven't won there since November 2010.

After Chicago's 147-144 four-overtime home loss to Detroit on Dec. 18, Pau Gasol stayed home to rest the following night when the exhausted Bulls fell easily at Madison Square Garden.

Afterward, Jimmy Butler questioned whether first-year coach Fred Hoiberg was coaching hard enough or adequately holding players accountable. The Bulls then fell 105-102 back at home on Dec. 21 to a Brooklyn team that entered the contest just 1-12 on the road.

Chicago (18-12), however, has since turned things around with impressive victories over Oklahoma City, Toronto and Indiana. The club also enjoyed one of its best offensive showings of the season despite its only loss in the past four games, 118-111 at Dallas on Dec. 26.

The Bulls could be missing Rose after he couldn't play in Wednesday's 102-100 overtime home win over the Pacers due to hamstring tendinitis. Aaron Brooks filled in nicely with a season-high 29 points while hitting 4 of 7 from 3-point range in 40 minutes off the bench.

After the victory over Indiana, all seemed better when Butler praised Hoiberg.

''I think that he's holding me accountable for everything,'' the All-Star guard said.

Butler bounced back with 28 points - including the winning tip-in with 1.2 seconds left - after totaling 22 on 6-of-18 shooting over his previous two games. Bobby Portis has stepped up with Joakim Noah (shoulder) out, totaling 28 points and 16 rebounds in his last two.

The rookie had season highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds in the first meeting with the Knicks.

New York's Arron Afflalo has averaged 20.1 points while making 15 of 26 (57.7 percent) from beyond the arc over his last eight games against the Bulls dating to his time with Denver.