Javonte Green had 25 points and 13 rebounds for his first career double-double and Ayo Dosunmu added 24 points to boost the host Chicago Bulls to a 108-100 win against the New York Knicks on Friday.
Chicago (37-40) moved one game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks for the No. 9 seed in the Eastern Conference and home-court advantage in a play-in tournament game.
New York (45-32) remained tied with the Orlando Magic for the fourth-best record in the East.
The Bulls never trailed while overcoming the third straight double-double for New York’s Jalen Brunson, who had 35 points and 11 assists.
DeMar DeRozan (20 points, 10 assists), Nikola Vucevic (16 points, 13 rebounds) and Andre Drummond (10 points, 16 rebounds) each posted double-doubles for Chicago.
Green set career bests for points and rebounds, playing an accelerated role after Coby White left the game in the first half with a left ankle injury. Green signed with the Bulls for the remainder of the season Thursday after joining the team on a 10-day contract in late March.
Miles McBride (19 points), OG Anunoby (12), Donte DiVincenzo (10) and Isaiah Hartenstein (10) also scored in double figures for the Knicks.
Officials ejected Knicks guard Josh Hart in the final minute of the first quarter following a lengthy replay review. Green stole the ball from Hart as Hart drove to the basket. Hart appeared to lose his balance during the play and his right foot made contact with Green’s head.
The final ruling was a flagrant-2 against Hart, who was coming off a season-best, 31-point effort in Thursday’s victory against Sacramento.
The Bulls’ Alex Caruso suffered an apparent foot injury in the fourth quarter.
Chicago took a 61-45 lead into intermission after leading by as many as 20 points in the first half. Dosunmu and Green scored 17 points apiece for the Bulls, who shot 52.2 percent compared to 36.2 percent for New York.
Brunson led all scorers with 21 first-half points.
The Bulls evened the season series at one game apiece, rebounding from a 16-point road loss on Jan. 3.
New York and Chicago are set to meet twice more in the regular season, including Tuesday night at United Center.
–Field Level Media