Carmelo Anthony called it a statement game, and the message should be clear for the Chicago Bulls.
If they do meet in the playoffs, the Bulls better finish off Anthony and the New York Knicks when they have the chance.
Anthony scored a season-high 43 points, making the go-ahead three-pointer with 8.2 seconds left in overtime as the Knicks spoiled a rusty Derrick Rose's return to the lineup and beat the Chicago Bulls, 100-99, on Sunday at New York.
Rose scored 29 points after missing the previous 12 games because of a strained right groin, but he shot only eight for 26 from the field and missed a pair of free throws with 19 seconds left in regulation and the Bulls ahead by three.
Anthony made a three-pointer eight seconds later to tie it, and scored the final five points of the extra period as the Knicks pulled out a thriller in a possible playoff preview.
It had the look and sound of a playoff game in the tense final minutes at a frenzied Madison Square Garden. The loudest roars went to Anthony, who screamed, "This is my house!" after the three-pointer in a place where he heard boos just last month.
He said Sunday's big basket was one of the best of his career.
"This was one of the top," he said. "Overtime, Easter Sunday, everybody's watching, everybody's in the Garden, so this ranks as one of the top."
The Bulls trailed by 21 in the first quarter, led by 10 in the fourth quarter, then failed to put it away by missing four consecutive free throws in the final 34 seconds of regulation.
Despite having their starting five together for only the 11th time this season, the Bulls lost for the third time in four games, their NBA-best record falling to 43-14.
at San Antonio 114, Utah 104: Tony Parker scored 28 points and San Antonio won its 11th straight game. Manu Ginobili had 23 points for the Spurs, who are now on their second 11-game win streak — a season best in the NBA. Al Jefferson led the Jazz with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
at Oklahoma City 91, Toronto 75: Kevin Durant scored 23 points and Oklahoma City had a 24-0 run bridging the third and fourth quarters to end a season-worst three-game skid. Toronto trailed 58-55 with 6:05 left in the third quarter, but the Raptors didn't score again in the period. Oklahoma City then scored the last 12 points of the quarter and the first 12 of the fourth to take a 27-point lead. Jose Calderon led Toronto with 19 points and DeMar DeRozan added 16 on six-for-22 shooting.
at Boston 103, Philadelphia 79: Kevin Garnett scored 20 points and Rajon Rondo dished out double-digit assists for his 17th consecutive game, finishing with 15. Brandon Bass and Avery Bradley each had 18 points, and Paul Pierce had 17 as the Celtics won for the seventh time in nine games. Nikola Vucevic had 14 points and Andre Iguodala scored 13 for the 76ers, who have dropped 10 of 14.
at New Jersey 122, Cleveland 117 (OT): Gerald Green scored a season-high 32 points, including a clutch three-pointer with 36.7 seconds left in regulation and a high-flying dunk in overtime for the Nets. Anthony Morrow scored 24 points, Deron Williams had 18 points and 10 assists, and Kris Humphries had 16 points and 11 rebounds as the Nets won a season-best third straight at home. Antawn Jamison scored a season-high-tying 34 points, Lester Hudson had 26 and Alonzo Gee had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who lost for the 10th time in 11 games.
at Miami 98, Detroit 75: LeBron James scored 26 points and Chris Bosh finished with 22 points and nine rebounds for the Heat. James Jones scored 18 on six-for-eight shooting from three-point range for Miami, which played without Dwyane Wade for the 11th time this season. Wade sat out because of right ankle soreness, which the team said was caused by an awkward landing on a dunk attempt against Memphis on Friday night. Pistons rookie Brandon Knight scored 16 for the Pistons.
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