Lauri Markkanen, who has shifted from power forward to centre for extended periods, erupted for 30 points last time out.
They’ve taken different paths to get there, but both the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls find themselves on the periphery of the Eastern Conference playoff race as they tangle Wednesday night at United Center. The Bulls have had no trouble filling the basket, but can’t seem to slow anyone down as they sit a game back of eighth place in the East. And they’re slight home faves against a New York team that boasts an impressive defence, but a toothless offence.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Chicago is a two-point favourite two days after halting a three-game losing skid with a 110-102 victory over the Knicks – and Sports Interaction bettors are mostly on board Wednesday, with 61 percent taking the home team to cover. The Bulls are a sizzling 12-5 against the spread in their last 17 games, but have won just three of their last nine at United Center. The Knicks have only two covers in their last six games, but are 4-2 ATS in their past six visits to Chicago.
Between Chicago’s high-pace offence and the Knicks’ plodding attack, oddsmakers split the difference in Game 1 with a total of 217 (the teams finished five points below the number). Wednesday’s total is one point lower, and Sports Interaction bettors are expecting more fireworks this time around, with nearly three-quarters siding with the Over. New York is 14-5 to the Under in its last 19 games, while Chicago is 3-7 O/U in its past 10 vs. East foes.
New York Knicks
In the modern iteration of the NBA, you can’t win if you don’t make 3-pointers – and that might explain, in part, why the Knicks are struggling to open the season. New York enters Wednesday ranked 26th in the 30-team league in 3-point success rate at 34.1 percent, and shot a dismal 20.7 percent from long range in Monday’s defeat. The Knicks have shot just 30.2 percent from deep in their 13 losses, compared to 41.2 percent in their nine victories.
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls have had to get creative after losing center Wendell Carter Jr. to a quad injury that will keep him out of action for the next 4-6 weeks. So far, the results have been overwhelmingly positive: Lauri Markkanen, who has shifted from power forward to centre for extended periods, erupted for 30 points last time out while reserve big man Thaddeus Young has averaged 12.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 9.3 assists in his past three games.
Who Will Win Knicks vs. Bulls?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
| time | fav | line | total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening 2 Feb 8:47pm | NY | -3.5 -110 | O +216.5 -110 |
| Closing 3 Feb 3:47pm | NY | -2 -110 | O +218 -110 |
- Regular Season
Knicks Team Leaders
| Points |
23.04 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
10.67 |
| FG% |
65.3 |
| Steals |
1.13 |
| Blocks |
2.12 |
| Points |
27.46 |
| Assists |
5.07 |
| Rebounds |
9.7 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.18 |
| Blocks |
1 |
- Regular Season
Bulls Team Leaders
| Points |
23.04 |
| Assists |
6 |
| Rebounds |
10.67 |
| FG% |
65.3 |
| Steals |
1.13 |
| Blocks |
2.12 |
| Points |
27.46 |
| Assists |
5.07 |
| Rebounds |
9.7 |
| FG% |
75 |
| Steals |
1.18 |
| Blocks |
1 |
Injuries
John Henson (PF)
Norvel Pelle (C)
RJ Barrett (SF)
Reggie Bullock (SG)
RJ Barrett (SF)
Derrick Rose (PG)
Elfrid Payton (PG)
Mitchell Robinson (C)
Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Elfrid Payton (PG)
Devon Dotson (PG)
Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Adam Mokoka (SG)
Coby White (SG)
Daniel Theis (PF)
Coby White (SG)
Garrett Temple (SG)
Coby White (SG)
Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Daniel Theis (PF)
Injuries
| 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. |
|||||
| 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. |
|||||
-
NEW YORK KNICKS
103 -
CHICAGO BULLS
108
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 2 Feb 8:47pm NY -3.5 -110 O +216.5 -110 Closing 3 Feb 3:47pm NY -2 -110 O +218 -110 -
- Regular Season
Knicks Team Leaders
Points 23.04
Assists 6
Rebounds 10.67
FG% 65.3
Steals 1.13
Blocks 2.12
Points 27.46
Assists 5.07
Rebounds 9.7
FG% 75
Steals 1.18
Blocks 1
-
- Regular Season
Bulls Team Leaders
Points 23.04
Assists 6
Rebounds 10.67
FG% 65.3
Steals 1.13
Blocks 2.12
Points 27.46
Assists 5.07
Rebounds 9.7
FG% 75
Steals 1.18
Blocks 1
-
Injuries
John Henson (PF)
Ques Wed Calf - 07 / 04 / 21Norvel Pelle (C)
Ques Mon Finger - 04 / 04 / 21RJ Barrett (SF)
Prob Sat Acquired - 03 / 04 / 21Reggie Bullock (SG)
Prob Fri Illness - 02 / 04 / 21RJ Barrett (SF)
Prob Fri Ankle - 01 / 04 / 21Derrick Rose (PG)
Prob Fri Ankle - 30 / 03 / 21Elfrid Payton (PG)
Prob Sat Hamstring - 27 / 03 / 21Mitchell Robinson (C)
out for season Foot - 27 / 03 / 21Terrance Ferguson (SG)
Ques Mon Acquired - 27 / 03 / 21Elfrid Payton (PG)
Prob Thurs Hamstring - 25 / 03 / 21Devon Dotson (PG)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 08 / 04 / 21Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Prob Thurs Leg - 07 / 04 / 21Adam Mokoka (SG)
Ques Wed Undisclosed - 07 / 04 / 21Coby White (SG)
Prob Thurs Neck - 07 / 04 / 21Daniel Theis (PF)
Prob Thurs Personal - 05 / 04 / 21Coby White (SG)
Prob Tues Illness - 03 / 04 / 21Garrett Temple (SG)
Prob Wed Hamstring - 30 / 03 / 21Coby White (SG)
Prob Fri Neck - 29 / 03 / 21Lauri Markkanen (PF)
Prob Mon Calf - 28 / 03 / 21Daniel Theis (PF)
Prob Mon Personal - 26 / 03 / 21Injuries
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.
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.