Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Preview
The Chicago Bulls are seeking to break an eight-game losing streak as they prepare to host the New York Knicks on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST in Chicago. Currently, the Knicks hold a strong third place in the Eastern Conference with a record of 36 wins and 21 losses, while the Bulls sit at 12th place with a record of 24 wins and 33 losses.
Game Odds and Team Performance
According to the latest figures from the BetMGM sportsbook, the Knicks are favored by 10.5 points, with an over/under set at 232.5 for the game. The Bulls have struggled in conference play, with a record of 16-24, and they will need to rely on their offensive prowess, specifically in the paint, where they rank sixth in the league with an average of 52.0 points per game, led by Josh Giddey who contributes 8.6 points in that area.
Meanwhile, the Knicks have excelled with a scoring average of 117.7 points per game, also shooting 47.2% from the field. They have been particularly effective from beyond the arc, averaging 14.8 three-pointers made per game, slightly outpacing the Bulls’ average of 14.6 made shots.
Previous Encounters and Key Players
This matchup will mark the third encounter between these two teams this season. The Knicks previously triumphed 128-116 during their last meeting on November 3, thanks in large part to Jalen Brunson’s 31-point performance.
Key players for both teams include Anfernee Simons, who is averaging 14.3 points per game for the Bulls, along with Matas Buzelis, averaging 15.2 points and 6.0 rebounds over the last ten games. For the Knicks, Brunson is a standout performer with an average of 24.5 points and 4.2 rebounds in his last ten outings, while Mikal Bridges contributes 15.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game.
Recent Performance and Injury Updates
In terms of recent performance, the Bulls have posted a disappointing 1-9 record in their last ten games, averaging merely 110.2 points while allowing 124.1 points per game. On the other hand, the Knicks have seen more success with a 7-3 record in their last ten, scoring an average of 118.7 points while allowing just 109.0 points.
Injury updates include Bulls players Anfernee Simons (day to day with a wrist issue), Noa Essengue (out for the season due to shoulder injury), Jaden Ivey (out for knee issues), and Zach Collins (out for the season with a toe injury). The Knicks will be missing Miles McBride due to an ankle problem.
