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NEW YORK (AP) _ Latrell Sprewell scored 21 points and New York produced its best defensive effort of the season in a 78-67 victory over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for New York and was the eighth consecutive loss for the Bulls, who have dropped 16 of their 17. The 67 points were the fewest surrendered by the Knicks this season.

New York led 61-55 entering the fourth quarter, but Sprewell and Larry Johnson each scored four points in an 8-0 run that put the Knicks in control at 69-55.

Chicago, which made just one field goal in the first 11 minutes of the fourth period, was never able to cut the Knicks lead to less than nine the rest of the way.

The Bulls missed their first 12 shots and fell behind 9-0. But the Bulls hung in and trailed by 10, at 49-39, on a short jumper by Elton Brand late in the half.

Patrick Ewing and Charlie Ward answered with baskets for the Knicks, but Chicago closed to 47-41 at the half on Chris Carr's jumper two seconds before the buzzer.

Ewing added 12 points and Allan Houston had 11 for the Knicks, while Brand led Chicago with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

Notes: The Knicks host Atlanta on Friday and then head West for a nine-day, five-game trip that includes games with Portland and the LA Lakers. ... At game time, there were still no takers for former Knicks guard John Starks, who was released by the Bulls on Tuesday. ... Knicks forward Marcus Camby and assistant coach Don Chaney both celebrated birthdays Wednesday.