The Knicks have dropped two straight, a poor start to their three-game road trip. New York will attempt to bounce back tonight against an old-school rival, but it won’t be easy. The Bulls have started the season on a tear, winning four in a row. Now, Chicago hopes to make its biggest statement yet.
In this NBA Cup battle between Eastern Conference foes, who has the edge? Here’s my preview, prediction, and pick for Friday’s New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls matchup.
The Knicks are 5.5-point favorites (-105) over the Bulls on DraftKings Sportsbook. New York is favored at -192 on the moneyline. The total for this matchup is at 233.5 points.
Knicks vs. Bulls prediction, preview
Last season, New York’s offense was the biggest attraction on Broadway. After all, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns aren’t exactly lockdown defenders. However, points have been hard to come by this season under new head coach Mike Brown. Through four games, the Knicks are averaging 110.5 points, the NBA’s fourth-worst mark. Nobody has looked particularly sharp outside of Brunson (31.8 PPG) and Mikal Bridges (18.0 PPG).
All things considered, growing pains were to be expected in the Big Apple. Under a new coach, with more emphasis on playing the bench, chemistry will develop over time. One reason for optimism is New York’s dismal efficiency. The team ranks last in basketball with a 40% shooting percentage from the field. Given the amount of talent on this roster, there’s no way that continues. Could a return to form occur tonight vs. Chicago?
On paper, that might prove difficult. The Bulls have been stingy, recording the association’s fourth-best defensive rating (108.4). If they have one weak spot on that end of the floor, it’s down low. Chicago has surrendered 63.0 points in the paint to opponents, worst in the NBA. The team was at the bottom of that category last season, as well. Aging big man Nikola Vucevic can still shoot, but he’s never been much of a rim protector. He’ll have to up his game tonight against Towns, one of the best shooting centers of all time. Over his last six meetings with the Bulls, KAT has scored at least 27 points.
On offense, Chicago’s greatest strength is its depth. Six different players on this roster are currently averaging at least 12.5 points per game. The Bulls rank third in the NBA with 48.0 bench points per game. In comparison, the Knicks are second-to-last (22.5 PPG). In addition, Chicago managed to win two of the three matchups between these two squads last season. Still, it’s tough to read much into those results when New York has a brand-new offensive scheme and coach.
Knicks vs. Bulls pick, best bet
The Bulls have established that they aren’t a pushover, and could even flirt with a playoff appearance. Still, any skepticism is reasonable for a franchise that has embodied mediocrity for most of the past decade. New York’s sluggish offense is a concern, but positive regression is inevitable. KAT’s dominance against Chicago alone is enough reason to expect a Knicks win.
