Knicks Search for Intensity in Pivotal Game Against Bulls

Coach Pat Riley says the Knicks turned the ball over 21 times in Game 3 because they were “careless.”

Greg Anthony says: “The problem is we haven’t played with any effort, energy or intensity.”

John Starks says he’s surprised the series isn’t already over.

What does this make the Bulls, tied at 2-2 in this NBA Eastern Conference semifinal series going into tonight’s Game 5 at Madison Square Garden?

Chicago has outscored New York in 13 of the 16 quarters, has led going into every fourth quarter--by an average of 11 points--and has had third-quarter leads of 15, eight, 22 and 19 points, respectively.

The Knicks are still favored but must go one more game without the suspended Derek Harper. Starting in his place Sunday, Anthony missed 11 of 13 shots and turned the ball over four times. Anthony, Starks and Hubert Davis combined for 13 turnovers and 22 points.

So far, this series has followed last year’s pattern: The Knicks, who had the better regular-season record and had won the season series, opened with two victories at home. The Bulls won two at home.

A year ago, Chicago won Game 5 in New York after four layup attempts by Charles Smith were blocked on the last Knick possession.