The New York Knicks are heading to Chicago to begin a two-game set with the Bulls at the United Center. With both teams sitting in the bottom half of the Eastern Conference standings, this is a big opportunity for either team to move closer to a playoff position.

Chicago is a four-point favourite to win on the NBA odds with a total of 218.5.

NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis

New York is a defence-first type of team, so it makes sense the Knicks have hit the Under in eight of their last 11 games and 14 of 21 games, this season.  They have covered the spread in half of their 12 road games and are 10-11 against the spread for the season.

It’s been a tough road for the Bulls at the United Center, this season.  Chicago has won just two of six home games, although they are 16-4 straight up in their last 20 home games against the Knicks.  The Bulls have hit the Over in eight of their last 12 games overall and are 11-7 ATS for the season.  Chicago has covered five times at home, this year.

New York Knicks

Despite a 129-115 loss to the Clippers on Sunday, it looks like the Knicks have finally found a solution to their backcourt problems. RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley combined for 48 points and Julius Randle finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds and five assists. That offensive production is big for a defensively minded Knicks team that ranks first in average total score against (102. 65), average field goal percentage against (42.59) and average 3-point percentage against (31.35), but last or near last in most major offensive categories.

Randle should be a central part of New York’s game plan on Monday. The Knicks will be up against a Chicago defence that is weak by the rim, so a player like Randle, who likes to get his opportunities by the rim, should be able to make a big impact. Randle leads the Knicks in average points per game (22.4), rebounds per game (11.4) and assists per game (6.0).

Chicago Bulls

The Bulls continue to quickly fall out of the playoff picture after dropping a one-point heartbreaker in a 123-122 loss to the Trail Blazers on Sunday. Lauri Markkanen finished with 31 points, Zach LaVine had 26 points and Coby White added 20 points in the loss. After missing games in early January due to a calf injury and COVID-19 protocols, Markkanen looks like he is back in top form and is averaging 19.6 points per game. White struggles to be consistent, but is still averaging a healthy 15.5 points per game and leads the Bulls with 5.7 assists per game.

LaVine has clearly been the MVP of the season for Chicago. He averages a team-high 26.9 points per game to go along with 5.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists. LaVine also leads the Bulls in steals, averaging 1.3 per game. Going up against the league’s best defence will be tough, so all the Chicago offence should end up running through LaVine.

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Knicks vs. Bulls?

• Regular Season

Knicks Team Leaders

NY

Points	Julius Randle 23.04
Assists	Julius Randle 6
Rebounds	Julius Randle 10.67
FG%	Mitchell Robinson 65.3
Steals	Mitchell Robinson 1.13
Blocks	Nerlens Noel 2.12

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.46
Assists	Tomas Satoransky 5.07
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 9.7
FG%	Cristiano Felicio 75
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.18
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 1

• Regular Season

Bulls Team Leaders

NY

Points	Julius Randle 23.04
Assists	Julius Randle 6
Rebounds	Julius Randle 10.67
FG%	Mitchell Robinson 65.3
Steals	Mitchell Robinson 1.13
Blocks	Nerlens Noel 2.12

CHI

Points	Zach LaVine 27.46
Assists	Tomas Satoransky 5.07
Rebounds	Nikola Vucevic 9.7
FG%	Cristiano Felicio 75
Steals	Thaddeus Young 1.18
Blocks	Nikola Vucevic 1

Injuries

New York

John Henson (PF)

Ques Wed Calf - 07 / 04 / 21

Norvel Pelle (C)

Ques Mon Finger - 04 / 04 / 21

RJ Barrett (SF)

Prob Sat Acquired - 03 / 04 / 21

Reggie Bullock (SG)

Prob Fri Illness - 02 / 04 / 21

RJ Barrett (SF)

Prob Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 21

Derrick Rose (PG)

Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 21

Elfrid Payton (PG)

Prob Sat Hamstring - 27 / 03 / 21

Mitchell Robinson (C)

out for season Foot - 27 / 03 / 21

Terrance Ferguson (SG)

Ques Mon Acquired - 27 / 03 / 21

Elfrid Payton (PG)

Prob Thurs Hamstring - 25 / 03 / 21

Chicago

Devon Dotson (PG)

Ques Wed Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 21

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Prob Thurs Leg - 07 / 04 / 21

Adam Mokoka (SG)

Ques Wed Undisclosed - 07 / 04 / 21

Coby White (SG)

Prob Thurs Neck - 07 / 04 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Prob Thurs Personal - 05 / 04 / 21

Coby White (SG)

Prob Tues Illness - 03 / 04 / 21

Garrett Temple (SG)

Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 03 / 21

Coby White (SG)

Prob Fri Neck - 29 / 03 / 21

Lauri Markkanen (PF)

Prob Mon Calf - 28 / 03 / 21

Daniel Theis (PF)

Prob Mon Personal - 26 / 03 / 21

Injuries

New York

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
John Henson (PF)	Ques Wed	Calf - 07 / 04 / 21	5-0	3-2	+ -
Henson has sat out of the last four games with a left calf strain, and it remains to be seen if he will be available for Wednesday's clash with the Pelicans.
Norvel Pelle (C)	Ques Mon	Finger - 04 / 04 / 21	6-0	4-2	+ -
Pelle has missed the last four games with a dislocated right index finger, and it has yet to be established if he will face the Lakers on Monday.
RJ Barrett (SF)	Prob Sat	Acquired - 03 / 04 / 21	6-1	4-3	+ -
Barrett is managing a right ankle sprain, but he is likely to dress for Saturday's contest with the Pistons.
Reggie Bullock (SG)	Prob Fri	Illness - 02 / 04 / 21	6-2	4-4	+ -
Bullock is ailing from an illness, but it is likely that he will dress for Friday's battle with the Magic.
RJ Barrett (SF)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 01 / 04 / 21	6-2	4-4	+ -
Barrett is bothered by a right ankle sprain, but it is projected that he will be in the lineup versus the Mavericks on Friday.
Derrick Rose (PG)	Prob Fri	Ankle - 30 / 03 / 21	6-3	4-5	+ -
Rose missed the last game battling left ankle soreness, but it is anticipated that he will be active Friday versus the Mavericks.
Elfrid Payton (PG)	Prob Sat	Hamstring - 27 / 03 / 21	8-3	4-7	+ -
Payton is managing a left hamstring injury, but he is expected to take on the Bucks on Saturday.
Mitchell Robinson (C)	out for season	Foot - 27 / 03 / 21	8-3	4-7	+ -
Robinson is expected to miss the remainder of the 2020-21 season with a fractured right foot.
Terrance Ferguson (SG)	Ques Mon	Acquired - 27 / 03 / 21	8-3	4-7	+ -
Ferguson was recently acquired through a trade, and it is unclear if he will debut against the Heat on Monday.
Elfrid Payton (PG)	Prob Thurs	Hamstring - 25 / 03 / 21	9-3	5-7	+ -
Payton is likely to line up against the Wizards on Thursday despite a hamstring injury.

Chicago

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Devon Dotson (PG)	Ques Wed	Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
Dotson has missed the last four games for undisclosed reasons, and it is unclear if he will take the court against the Magic on Wednesday.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Prob Thurs	Leg - 07 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
Markkanen is tending to a lower right leg injury, but it is likely that he will be in the lineup for Thursday's tilt versus the Raptors.
Adam Mokoka (SG)	Ques Wed	Undisclosed - 07 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
Mokoka was held out of the last four contests due to an undisclosed issue, and it is unknown if he will be available versus the Magic on Wednesday.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Thurs	Neck - 07 / 04 / 21	2-3	3-2	+ -
White is dealing with a neck injury, but it is anticipated that he will play Thursday versus the Raptors.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Prob Thurs	Personal - 05 / 04 / 21	3-3	3-3	+ -
Theis missed the last game while tending to a personal matter, but it is likely that he will be available against the Raptors on Thursday.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Tues	Illness - 03 / 04 / 21	5-3	4-4	+ -
White missed the last game while going through the NBA's health and safety protocols, but it is anticipated that he will play against the Pacers on Tuesday.
Garrett Temple (SG)	Prob Wed	Hamstring - 30 / 03 / 21	5-5	5-5	+ -
Temple has been sidelined with a right hamstring strain, but he is projected to return Wednesday versus the Magic.
Coby White (SG)	Prob Fri	Neck - 29 / 03 / 21	5-5	5-5	+ -
White has sat out the last two games due to neck soreness, but it is anticipated that he will partake in Friday's matchup versus the Jazz.
Lauri Markkanen (PF)	Prob Mon	Calf - 28 / 03 / 21	5-6	5-6	+ -
Markkanen is bothered by a right calf injury, but it is likely that he will take the court against the Warriors on Monday.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Prob Mon	Personal - 26 / 03 / 21	5-6	5-6	+ -
Theis missed the previous game while tending to a personal matter, but he is expected to dress for Monday's clash with the Warriors.