The New York Knicks pay a visit to the struggling Chicago Bulls at the United Center on Sunday night. The New York Liberty and Washington Mystics meet Saturday in NBA action at the T-Mobile Arena. Here’s a Bulls vs. Knicks prediction. This article will include a Bulls vs. Knicks pick.
New York Knicks Betting Preview
The New York Knicks have been in great shape, as they’ve won 11 of their last 14 games overall, and they will be eager to stay hot after outlasting the Rockets in a 108-106 home win last night. Karl-Anthony Towns led the team with 25 points on 10 of 15 shooting, and OG Anunoby and Jalen Brunson each scored 20 points, while Landry Shamet chipped in with 14 points off the bench. As a team, the Knicks shot 49 percent from the field and 10 of 26 from the 3-point line as they struggled for most of the contest and looked to be in deep trouble after trailing by 18 points, before they flipped the script and dominated the fourth quarter by 33-15 to escape with the dramatic comeback win in front of their home fans.
Chicago Bulls Betting Preview
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have been in a terrible slump, as they’ve dropped 11 of their last 12 games overall, and they will be hoping to put an end to an eight-game losing streak after getting smashed by the Pistons in a 126-110 loss last night. Josh Giddey led the team with 27 points on 10 of 16 shooting; Jalen Smith, Isaac Okoro, and Matas Buzelis each scored 15 points, while Guerschon Yabusele chipped in with 12 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. As a team, the Bulls shot 45 percent from the field and 17 of 40 from the 3-point line as they got off to a decent start and hung tough with the Pistons in a tightly contested first half, but they couldn’t slow the Pistons coming out of the halftime break and were always fighting an uphill battle after getting outscored by 44-26 in the third quarter.
Why the Chicago Bulls will win
- The Knicks have lost each of their last nine road games on the second leg of a back-to-back against the Bulls.
- The underdogs have won five of the Knicks’ last six games at United Center.
- The Knicks have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven road games against Central Division opponents.
- The Bulls have covered the spread in five of their last six games against the Knicks.
Why the New York Knicks will win
- The Bulls have lost each of their last eight games.
- The Knicks have won each of their last seven road games against Eastern Conference opponents that held a losing record.
- The Bulls have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games.
- The favorites have covered the spread in seven of the Bulls’ last eight games at United Center.
Total Points Facts
- Each of the Bulls’ last six games with both teams on the second leg of a back-to-back have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Seven of the Knicks’ last eight night games against the Bulls following a home win have gone UNDER the total points line.
Chicago Bulls Player Facts
- Jalen Smith is one of only two qualified players in the league to be leading their team in rebounds per game (7.0) and three-point shooting percentage (38.7%) this season.
- Matas Buzelis is one of only three qualified players in the league averaging at least 1.5 threes and 1.5 blocks this season.
New York Knicks Player Facts
- Karl-Anthony Towns is the only player in the league averaging a double-double while shooting at least 30% from three this season.
- Jalen Brunson has recorded 51 games with 3+ assists this season – equal-most of any player in the league.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Bulls rank 30th in the league for opponent three-point percentage this season (37.6%).
- The Bulls rank 29th in the league for opponent field goals made per game this season (44.5).
- The Knicks rank 2nd in the league for opponent steals per game this season (7.1).
- The Knicks rank 3rd in the league for opponent offensive rebounds per game this season (10.2).
Bulls vs Knicks Prediction
The Knicks are still playing without Miles McBride, while the Bulls have ruled out Jaden Ivey and Zach Collins, with Anfernee Simons listed as day-to-day for this one. The Knicks head into this matchup as clearly the team in better form; they are almost at full health and just took down the red-hot Rockets in a great win last night. In contrast, the Bulls have looked poor during their eight-game slide, and they too are playing on zero days’ rest after getting trampled by the Pistons last night. The line is a bit hefty, but I think the Knicks run all over this slumping Bulls squad on their way to a comfortable win and cover on the road.