Bulls vs. Knicks Prediction: NBA Odds, Point Spread
The Knicks are looking to get back to their winning ways after a 118-110 loss to Phoenix on Monday snapped their nine-game winning streak. On Wednesday, New York will host a Bulls team that is chasing a spot in the play-in tournament.
The Knicks opened as 4.5-point favourites to win on the NBA odds.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Chicago hasn’t fared well against the Knicks over the last few years, dropping five of their last seven games against New York. The Bulls are 32-28-1 against the spread this year and they’ve covered in 20 of 31 road games. High scoring games have been a staple for the Bulls pretty much all year. They’ve hit the Over in six straight road games and eight of their last 12 games overall.
The Knicks have taken a big step forward this season and come into Wednesday with nine wins in their last 10 games. They’ve been a great cover option and are 12-1 ATS in their last 13 games. Known primarily as a defensive team, the Knicks’ offence exploded over their nine-game winning streak, helping New York hit the Over in seven of their last eight games.
Chicago Bulls
The Bulls received crushing news on April 15 when it was announced leading scorer Zach LaVine was entering the league’s COVID protocols and would miss at least eight games. Now, as Chicago prepares to play that eighth game without LaVine, it looks like his absence could go on even longer. There’s no word on exactly when LaVine will return to the lineup, but he definitely won’t play on Wednesday. It’s a tough blow for the Bulls, as LaVine leads the team in points (27.5) and assists per game (5.1).
It’s not all bad news, though. Chicago has gone 4-3 without LaVine in the lineup and they’re only one game back of the 10th-placed Washington Wizards for the final spot in the play-in tournament. The Bulls will need to rely heavily on Nikola Vucevic down the final stretch of the season. Vucevic has recorded six double-doubles over his last 10 games, averaging 21.9 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest. His presence in the paint is being felt around the league, as Chicago leads the NBA in offensive rebounds.
New York Knicks
After being the laughing stock of the NBA for years, the Knicks look like they’ve finally turned a corner. New York has the No. 1 ranked defence in the league and they only trail Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference standings. They’re gelling together with a strong group of young talent and a core of veteran leadership. Canadian RJ Barrett is stepping into the limelight and averaging 17.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
The biggest piece of this team is Julius Randle, who’s heard repeated chants of “MVP, MVP!”, since fans returned to the building, anytime he touches the ball in Madison Square Garden. Randle is having a breakout season and leads the Knicks in points (23.9), rebounds (10.4) and assists per game (6.0). He has put up a double-double in five straight games, registering two 30+ point performances and two 40+ point performances over that time.
CHI
NY