CHICAGO _ Nikola Mirotic wore a huge smile as he sat inside the Bulls' locker room Saturday night before his home debut this season.
"All I know is we're 1-0 with me," Mirotic said, clearly having fun with his return but also showing the mental state he's in. "And the goal is to get to 2-0."
The Bulls succeeded against the Knicks in a 104-102 victory, winning two straight for the first time this season at a United Center that featured Charles Oakley sitting courtside and several delicious storylines.
Kris Dunn's two free throws with 2.9 seconds left after a borderline foul call on Courtney Lee allowed the Bulls to escape blowing a 10-point lead with 2:03 remaining. Kristaps Porzingis had capped the 10-0 tying run with a jumper with 7.4 seconds left but missed a game-winning attempt on a good look from 3-point range at the buzzer.
Beyond Mirotic's home debut, the return of Doug McDermott as a visitor for the first time and Joakim Noah in an inactive role, Lauri Markkanen faced Porzingis in a matchup of new-wave big men. That Markkanen played well for the second straight night on a day coach Fred Hoiberg casually revealed he has been playing through another sore back is a positive sign.
Markkanen finished with 15 points and eight rebounds to Porzingis' 23 points and four rebounds, blocking one of his first-half shots and forcing a late travel that led to a Markkanen basket at the other end on a nifty feed from Dunn.
Dunn had his fingerprints all over the finish, stealing the ball from Porzingis and feeding David Nwaba for a dunk and then scoring on a drive inside the lane. Dunn finished with 17 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three steals.
But the biggest storyline continued to be Mirotic, as much for what he can add to the Bulls moving forward as the marker for how far a once-toxic situation between him and Bobby Portis has progressed.
"It's very exciting to be back," Mirotic said. "Finally, I'm back and contributing to the team."
Mirotic finished with a team-high 19 points that included five 3-pointers in 20 minutes of action. He played 14:54 in his season debut Friday night in Charlotte, N.C., and said he's ready for extended minutes soon.
"For now, the plan is 15-20 minutes," Mirotic said. "But maybe after this game I'll be ready for more. I feel good on the floor. I was a little nervous (Friday) but I was very excited."
Nwaba, with 15 points, continued to make his now consistent impact. He helped lead a potent bench effort and scored three straight baskets in the fourth to push the Bulls ahead, 91-83.
"Every time he comes in, he makes something happen," Hoiberg said.
Finally, the Bulls are making things happen too.
