Chicago Bulls: Looking for payback against RJ Barrett and the Knicks

When the Chicago Bulls welcome the New York Knicks to the United Center Tuesday night, it will not be a friendly one. Look for a concentrated effort to be the more physical team.

The Chicago Bulls welcome the New York Knicks into the United Center on Tuesday night. Both teams are dwelling in last place in their respective Central and Atlantic divisions and coming off of lopsided loses at home.

The Bulls come off an embarrassing 23 point loss on Saturday night to the Houston Rockets. The usual trends we have seen all season continued as they shot 12.5 percent from three and were out rebounded by eleven.

In fact, the Bulls have been out rebounded in two of their first ten games. The worst performance of the year came against the Knicks on October 28th when they lost the battle of the boards 63-38.

That game, in which New York out scored the Bulls by 15 points in the final period on their way to a 105-98 win, featured rookie sensation RJ Barrett. He played 40.2 minutes, put up 19 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and dished out 5 assists.

Not only was Barrett a menace on the boards but former Bulls power forward Bobby Portis came off the bench for 11 rebounds on his way to 28 points. His perfect four for four from beyond three reminded the Bulls of how he can take over a game when hot.

As a whole the Knicks rank fifth in the league in offensive rebound percentage. A large chunk of those boards come from a physical and athletic starting front line of Mitchell Robinson, Julius Randle and Marcus Morris. Morris also leads the team with 19.1 points a game.

Robinson has missed the last two games with a concussion. If he cannot suit up against the Bulls, expect Taj Gibson to take his place. He and Portis are two former fan favorites, that should garner a few cheers from the Bulls home crowd.

Considering that the Bulls are ranked 28th in defensive rebound percentage, expect a Knicks team, that already feasted off them once, to come in with a mentality that they can do it again. Wendell Carter, Lauri Markkanen and Thad Young will have their hands full.

Someone will also have to keep Barrett in check. After last night’s 108-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Barrett is averaging 15.5 points 5.8 rebounds and 3.6 assists. Kris Dunn, who is currently third in the league in steals, should have major minutes trying to limit his impact.

Of equal concern, is the continued poor shooting of Zach LaVine and Markkanen who went 1-12 between them from beyond the arc against the Rockets. The team as a whole is shooting a paltry 31.4 percent on threes.

When an offense is concentrated on getting good looks from three (the Bulls rank fifth in attempts) and you rank 26th in percent made, that will not translate to many wins.

Some are questioning whether the time has come to run more of the offense through Wendell Carter. Not only is he a talented passer, but Carter leads the team in field goal percentage and ranks fourth in the league in offensive rebounds.

The calls are likewise getting louder from fans and media to see more of rookie Daniel Gafford. Gafford’s athleticism and hustle would be a welcome sight in the paint. Current backup center Luke Kornet is shooting only 21.7 percent from downtown, which was supposed to be his strength as a stretch five.

With Otto Porter out indefinitely, Chandler Hutchison will have another huge opportunity for quality playing time. Last game, in his first start, Hutch shot a respectable six of ten from the field with 13 points and four rebounds. He will have his hands full with the savvy veteran Morris.

Besides Hutchison replacing Porter in the Bulls starting lineup we may also see point guard Frank Ntilikina replacing the injured Elfrid Payton for the Knicks.

At this young stage of the season, this game seems to be more about pride than being a defining moment in either teams improbable playoff run.