The Chicago Bulls are back in action in New York for a matchup with the Knicks on Monday night. The 43-31 Bulls are in fifth place in the East and the 33-42 New York Knicks are in 11th.
Chicago is 2-1 against the Knicks this season. The first win came in November, with the Bulls winning by six at home. The second win came in December in New York. Chicago lost their first matchup in October by one.
The Knicks are coming off a close call win against the lowly Detroit Pistons Sunday. The Pistons stormed back from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter, and Knicks guard Alec Burks having to save the day on both sides in the final seconds of play. He sank a corner three with 43 seconds left and then stripped Pistons’ guard Cade Cunningham with six seconds left to win the game.
RJ Barrett led the team with 21 points while Julius Randle finished with 20 points. Burks finished with 18.
New York will be without Kemba Walker (no longer playing for NY), Cam Reddish (shoulder), Derrick Rose (ankle), Quentin Grimes (knee) and Nerlens Noel (foot).
Lonzo Ball (knee) is out for the Bulls.
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks betting odds, spread, over/under
According to WynnBET, the Bulls are a -3.5 favorite against the Knicks and -170 on the moneyline. New York is +140 on the moneyline as the +3.5 underdogs. The over/under is set at 233.5 points.
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Prediction
The Bulls are dangling on the ropes right now. They grabbed a must-win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday, possibly salvaging their season. They were only one game up on the Cavs and the Raptors, who are in the play-in tournament at the moment. With that win, Chicago secured the season series against both teams trying to catch them in the standings. That gave the Bulls some breathing room, but they still have to finish with a tied or better record than the Cavs and Raptors.
Chicago will have to come out with intensity to put the Knicks away early — something they’re more than capable of doing. The Knicks, despite being a Tom Thibodeau team, don’t defend at a high level. Their offense is erratic and never seems to be controlled.
While the Bulls aren’t playing the greatest basketball, we can’t bet against them when playing the Knicks. We’re taking the Bulls -3.5 and under 233.5 points.
Chicago 130, New York 100
Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks TV channel
The Bulls-Cavaliers game won’t be broadcast on national television, but it will be available on NBC Chicago and the MSG Network. Tip-off is slated for 8:00 PM EST.
Chicago Bulls schedule and upcoming games
The Bulls will travel from Cleveland to New York for a matchup against the Knicks, before heading back to Chicago for a homestand:
- Mar. 31 vs Clippers
- Apr. 2 vs Heat
- Apr. 5 vs Bucks
- Apr. 6 vs Celtics