Following a slow Thursday and just two games, the NBA action returns with a 14-game slate on Friday, December 23, and here you can check out the best Bulls vs. Knicks betting pick and odds.
Chicago is searching for the third win in a row when they visit New York City’s Madison Square Garden. The Knicks are 4-point favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, while the total is set at 226 points. These conference rivals have already met twice this year, and the Knicks won both duels in Chicago.
Bulls beat the buzzer and the Hawks in Atlanta
The Chicago Bulls (13-18, 14-16-1 ATS) bounced back from a four-game losing skid with a pair of road victories over the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks. Ayo Dosunmu was the hero for Chicago in the most recent 110-108 win in Atlanta as he beat the buzzer with a putback jumper, and now the Bulls have a chance to secure their third game in a row for the first time this season.
The Bulls shot 50.0% from the field against the Hawks and even though they made only seven triples opposite Atlanta’s 14, they did edge the hosts. Chicago will conclude its four-game road trip with this game at MSG.
DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, six rebounds, and a team-high five assists. Zach LaVine added 22 points, five boards, and five dimes, Nikola Vucevic chipped in 20 points and seven rebounds, while Patrick Williams and Coby White combined for 21 points, 12 boards, six assists, two steals, and two blocks.
PG Lonzo Ball (knee) is out indefinitely. PG Goran Dragic (ankle), SF Derrick Jones Jr. (ankle), SG Alex Caruso (concussion), and SG Javonte Green (knee) are questionable to feature on Friday against New York.
Knicks couldn’t make it nine in a row
The New York Knicks (18-14, 17-13-2 ATS) are playing their best basketball of the season. They were on an eight-game winning streak and opened a four-game homestay with a massive victory over the Golden State Warriors, but couldn’t make it nine in a row. The Toronto Raptors edged the Knicks 113-106, even though New York was excellent from the floor (55.3%). The difference was in turnovers; while the Raptors committed only five, the Knicks made 17.
Julius Randle led the Knicks with a double-double of 30 points and game-high 13 rebounds along with four assists. RJ Barrett also scored 30 points with five boards and five dishes, while Immanuel Quickley contributed 20 points. Jalen Brunson had a bad shooting night (3-14) but did record a game-high 12 assists.
SF Obi Toppin (knee) is out indefinitely, while SG Quentin Grimes is questionable to face the Bulls on Friday with an ankle issue.
Trends:
Chicago:
8-22-1 ATS in the last 31 games playing on one day of rest
2-6 ATS in the last eight games against New York
1-5 ATS in the last six games when playing on the road against New York
New York:
8-1 ATS in the last nine games overall
4-1 ATS in the last five home games
6-0 ATS in the last six games playing on one day of rest
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Pick
The Bulls perhaps won the last two games, but they couldn’t find a recipe to beat the Knicks in two H2H duels this season. The Knicks, on the other hand, are enjoying their basketball while Chicago is struggling and it seems that New York has more individuals who can decide a game.
Randle, Barrett, and Brunson are playing very well at the moment, while the chemistry between DeRozan and LaVine is not at a high level. That is going to make a difference in this encounter. The Knicks have a stronger defense that is allowing 111.7 points per game and are better in both offensive and defensive ratings.
Pick: Take the Knicks at -2.5 (-130)
The Total
Chicago improved defensively after surrendering a season-high 150 points in a loss to Minnesota and kept the opponents to under 114 in the last two games. Still, with the way the Knicks’ offense is playing recently, it’s hard to expect the Bulls to contain the hosts to below 120 points on Friday. Over is 5-1 in the Bulls’ last six games following an ATS win, while Over is 4-1 in the Knicks’ previous five home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Pick: Go Over 224.5 points (-130)
