NBA – Asik corrals career-high 16 rebounds as Bulls go alone at summit again

NEWARK (NBA) - The Chicago Bulls won their eighth game in a row on Thursday night to reclaim sole possession of first place in the NBA's Eastern Conference.

Chicago beat New Jersey 84-73, ending the Nets' five-game winning streak.

While getting terrific performances from the usual cast of characters like Team USA's Derrick Rose, the Bulls got a boost from another international player who is just cutting his teeth in the NBA.

Omer Asik, the Turkey national team center who played at last year’s FIBA World Championship, had 16 rebounds and two blocked shots to go with his 11 points.

Chicago are 49-18 and a half-game clear of Boston, who didn't play on Thursday.

Tony Douglas equaled a franchise record by drilling nine three-pointers for the New York Knicks in a 120-99 victory over Memphis.

Douglas finished with 29 points as the sixth-place Knicks moved a half-game clear of Philadelphia.

Memphis are 37-32 and eighth in the Western Conference, one game clear of Utah.

Portland were also big winners on Thursday, thrashing visiting Cleveland 111-70.

Gerald Wallace, recently acquired in a trade from Charlotte, had 17 points for the Blazers.

Portland, who are fifth in the Western Conference at 39-29, received nice contributions from their international contingent.

France's Nicolas Batum weighed in with 14 points, Spain's Rudy Fernandez 13 and Australia's Pat Mills 11.

Wesley Matthews continues to play well for Portland, too.

He made four of seven shots from long range and scored 14 points.

FIBA