CHICAGO -- Forget about the neck stiffness that almost postponed Derrick Roses homecoming. Forget about all those missed shots, too. Rose made the only play that mattered Thursday night, and it was just like old times for the Chicago Bulls. Rose connected on a baseline floater with 5.7 seconds left to lift Chicago to an 82-81 victory over the New York Knicks in his first home game since he injured his left knee 18 months ago. "Thats what builds your resume," Rose said. "Leaves a mark on your legacy." The 2011 NBA MVP 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. Rose, who was a game-time decision for Chicagos home opener due to an achy neck, got the ball on the wing, drove to the baseline and lofted a well-placed floater over the 7-foot Chandler and Raymond Felton for the go-ahead basket, drawing a standing ovation from the delirious crowd of 22,022. "I was right there. He just made a big-time play," Chandler said. "I dont know if he saw the basket to be honest with you." New York had one last chance but Carmelo Anthony missed a long jumper. Anthony then stood with his hands on his hips as the Bulls celebrated. "I got the look I wanted," Anthony said. Chicago had just two field goals in the final period -- both by Rose -- and committed six turnovers in the last 12 minutes. But it still managed to equal a franchise record with its sixth consecutive win in home openers. Luol Deng had 17 points and Carlos Boozer finished with 14 as the Bulls beat the Knicks for the sixth straight time. "Its tough when you go into a game and you dont know who you have," coach Tom Thibodeau said. "Thats all part of it. Its the start of the season. As long as we are putting everything into each and every day and strive for improvement, it will work out." New York coach Mike Woodson opted for a bigger look against Chicago, inserting 7-foot Andrea Bargnani into the starting lineup and using guard Pablo Prigioni as a reserve. But the Bulls still enjoyed a 46-24 advantage in points in the paint and a 48-42 rebounding edge, led by Joakim Noahs 15 boards. "We competed tonight. It says a lot for our club," Woodson said. "Now I just need to do a better job getting us through down the stretch." Amare Stoudemire made his season debut for the Knicks and had five points in 11 minutes. The power forward, who turns 31 on Nov. 16, is coming off minor knee surgery over the summer and looked as if the years of health problems had robbed him of much of his athleticism. "Very pleased with how I felt tonight, as far as my body," he said. "Just going to continue to keep building and keep getting better." New York trailed 76-66 with 7:53 remaining, but rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. made a 3-pointer to spark a 12-0 run for the Knicks. Felton connected from long range, Iman Shumpert had a dunk and Anthony closed out the spurt with a turnaround jumper that put New York in front with 4:10 remaining. The last part of the game mostly consisted of turnovers and missed shots, but Chicago managed to survive behind Rose. "He showed a lot of toughness," Thibodeau said. "It was a struggle early on in the game. He found his way at the start of the third, that got him a little lift." Jimmy Butler finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds for Chicago, which lost 107-95 at NBA champion Miami in its season opener on Tuesday night. Anthony led New York with 22 points on 8-of-24 shooting. Chandler had 19 rebounds, but the Knicks were unable to open the season with consecutive victories on consecutive nights. They were coming off a 90-83 victory against Milwaukee on Wednesday. Wearing strips of black tape on either side of his achy neck, Rose received a thunderous ovation from the sellout crowd when he was the last player introduced during the pregame festivities. He showed no outward emotion as he ran out of the tunnel with fans waving glowing red sticks in celebration of the return of the Chicago native. After Rose got on the court, chants of "M-V-P! M-V-P!" rang out from the seats at the United Center. It was Roses first real game at the Bulls longtime home since he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in the first game of the 2012 playoffs against Philadelphia. What followed was a long and arduous rehabilitation process that raised questions about Roses toughness when he was unable to return last season. That whole "Will he or wont he play" episode was long forgotten when he took the court against the Knicks, taking a quick moment to blow a kiss toward the luxury boxes before tipoff. The speedy point guard was just 2 for 11 from the field in the first half, but Deng had 12 points to help Chicago to a 43-38 lead at the break. "Im not going to continue missing shots that Im missing," Rose said, pointing to what he thinks will be even better days ahead. "I work too hard." NOTES: Chicago improved to 27-21 in home openers, including a 12-8 record at the United Center. ... Hardaway provided a spark as a reserve, finishing with 10 points. Mark Recchi Jersey . - The Carolina Panthers believe Steve Smith lost "top-end" speed, a big reason the franchise parted ways with its all-time leading receiver. Matt Murray Jersey . -- Desperate to stop Tom Bradys latest comeback bid, the Miami Dolphins sought help from a reserve safety making his NFL debut after being signed Tuesday off the San Francisco 49ers practice squad. http://www.penguinsauthenticofficial.com/larry-murphy-jersey/ .C. - Canadian ice dancing, it seems, is in good hands. Chad Ruhwedel Penguins Jersey . CNN and Gazzetta dello Sport reporter Tancredi Palmeri broke the news via Twitter Tuesday afternoon. Italian Football Association President Giancarlo Abete has also resigned, according to Palmeri. Patric Hornqvist Jersey . At 11:06 of the first period, Neal struck Marchand with his knee when Marchand was down on the ice. Marchand remained in the game. Neal was assessed a kneeing penalty for his hit on Marchand.Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Nikita Kucherovs marker with 30.3 seconds left in regulation sent Tampa Bay past Carolina, 2-1, on Thursday. Kucherovs second goal of the contest was a fluke deflection. He appeared to want to pass across from the left circle, but the puck instead changed direction off the skate of Hurricanes defenseman Ron Hainsey in the slot and slid over the goal line. Evgeni Nabokov turned away 29 pucks and picked up his first assist of the season for the Lightning, who had lost two in a row. It was nice to see him get rewarded, Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said of Nabokov. He played great and gave us a chance to win. Justin Faulk tallied and Cam Ward made 25 saves for the Hurricanes, who suffered their fourth straight defeat and third by one goal. We shouldve capitalized on more than just the on goal, said Ward. The Bolts picked up the games first goal on a power play at the 6:35 mark of the third on another fluke occurrence.dddddddddddd Anton Stralman dumped the puck in from the neutral zone, and instead of the puck curling from the right-wing boards around behind Carolinas net, it kicked out into the slot. Kucherov was a step ahead of three Hurricanes players and shot the disc into an empty net. Faulk tied things inside of eight minutes remaining, as his floater from the right point caromed off the stick of Tampas Victor Hedman in front and eluded Nabokov. Game Notes Tampa Bays 41 points ranks best in the Eastern Conference, one point over idle Detroit, and its 19 wins is tied for tops in the East with the Islanders ... Kucherov, who set a new career best with 11 goals this season, posted his second multi-goal effort this year and first since a hat trick on Oct. 28 against the Coyotes. ' ' '