CHICAGO (AP) Derrick Rose made a floating baseline basket with 5.7 seconds left to lift the Chicago Bulls to an 82-81 victory over the New York Knicks on Thursday in his first home game since he injured his left knee 18 months ago.
Rose had 18 points on 7-of-23shooting and committed four turnovers. But there was no doubt who was getting the ball after Tyson Chandler went 1 for 2 at the line to give New York an 81-80 lead with 10.8 seconds remaining.
The speedy point guard, who was a game-time decision for his return due to a sore neck, got the ball on the wing and drove to the baseline for the go-ahead basket.
Luol Deng had 17 points for Chicago, which matched a franchise record with its fifth consecutive win in home openers.
At Los Angeles, Chris Paul scored 42 points and had on three of his 15 assists on consecutive alley-oop dunks by Blake Griffin during a 30-second span of the third quarter to lead the Clippers to 126-115 victory over the Golden State Warriors in their home opener.
The Clippers, who won the club's first division title last season with a club-record 56 wins, had five players score in double figures. Griffin had 23 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 3:53 remaining. Jamal Crawford and J.J. Redick finished with 17 points and DeAndre Jordan had 17 rebounds and nine points. Jared Dudley had 10 points.
Golden State's Stephen Curry made nine three pointers against the Clippers and finished with 39 points and nine assists. David Lee scored 22 points before fouling out with 4:10 to play.
