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-23 shooting 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.
