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Bulls look to continue winning ways

Apr 6, 2009 - 8:47 PM By Matt Becker Stats Senior Writer

New York (30-47) at Chicago (37-40), 8:30 p.m. EDT

CHICAGO (AP) -- Two months ago, it looked like the Chicago Bulls' inability to defend their home court would prevent them from making the playoffs. Less than two weeks before the postseason starts, the Bulls are on the verge of clinching a playoff spot thanks to their recent home dominance.

Chicago looks to continue its playoff push with its 12th victory in 13 games at the United Center on Tuesday night when it meets the New York Knicks.

With five games remaining, the Bulls (37-40) and Detroit are tied for seventh in the Eastern Conference with a three-game lead over ninth-place Charlotte.

Chicago still hosts the Bobcats on Saturday and visits the Pistons on Monday, but its schedule is favorable overall.

The Bulls opened a four-game homestand with Saturday's 103-94 victory over New Jersey and play four of their final five games at the United Center. Winning at home has come easy lately for Chicago, which has won four straight and 11 of 12 at the United Center.

The Bulls have had little trouble beating the Knicks (30-47) in Chicago, winning 13 of the last 15 meetings there.

While a remaining schedule loaded with home games seems to be advantageous for the Bulls, not long ago they were struggling at the United Center. Chicago lost eight of 12 home games prior to the All-Star break, including defeats to three of the league's worst teams -- Minnesota, Oklahoma City and Toronto.

John Salmons, who sat out last Tuesday's 107-105 loss to Indiana because of a strained groin, has been instrumental to Chicago's success at the United Center, averaging 25.0 points on 54.9 percent shooting in his last six games there. He had 17 points Saturday, while Ben Gordon came up with some clutch baskets down the stretch.

Gordon missed his first 10 shots and was just 3-for-14 overall, but scored 12 of his 18 points in the fourth quarter, including a key 3-pointer and two free throws during a game-ending 10-0 run.

"I'm never worried about him shooting the ball," Salmons said. "He can get it going like that."

Gordon had 17 points in a 105-100 home win over the Knicks on Dec. 9 but scored only eight on 3-of-15 shooting in Chicago's 102-98 loss at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 19.

New York snapped a four-game losing streak and won for just the second time in 12 games with Sunday's 112-103 victory over Toronto.

After being eliminated from postseason contention with Saturday's 102-95 home loss to the Raptors, the Knicks returned the favor by eliminating Toronto on Sunday.

"We just came out to play; it wasn't revenge," said Wilson Chandler, who led seven Knicks in double figures with 17 points.

Quentin Richardson had 16 points and was 4-of-7 from beyond the arc for New York, which made 13 of 25 3-pointers. The Knicks were 17-of-63 from beyond the arc in their previous three games.

Richardson has scored 23.0 points per game versus the Bulls this season - his highest average against any opponent - and now looks to help New York take the season series for the first time since winning three of four meetings in 2000-01.