New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls: Prediction, Starting Lineups, Odds (12/16/22)

The NBA continues to press on with an exciting matchup for our Friday viewing pleasure. This game brings intrigue as their respective last game for both teams was their matchup last Sunday against each other. A matchup that saw the Knicks pull out the win in overtime. Will the Bulls get their revenge? Or will history repeat itself with a Knicks win?

New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls Betting Odds

Oddsmakers lean towards the Bulls getting their revenge in this one as they opened them up as a -3 favorite. Bettors are in disagreement, taking the Knicks down to +2.5 as of writing. A defensive showdown is to be expected, meaning any point you can get in your favor is even more valuable with limited scoring opportunities for either unit.

Speaking of limited scoring opportunities, oddsmakers leaned toward the idea that a better offensive display would take place by opening the total as high as 228.5. Bettors disagree, taking the total to as low as 226. With both units nearly fully healthy and off of plenty of rest, the defensive intensity will be fun to watch as they attempt to lock down each other’s respective scorers.

New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls Prediction

The Pick: Under 226

Managing to grab an under for small as this number ticked down, I expect this to crash even further as we near tip off. As mentioned before, this will be a defensive showdown between two elite units while they still struggle to find offensive consistency. The Knicks played an abnormal game against the Bulls in their last game out while the Bulls have maintained an above average ranking in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency.

While fluke outcomes tend to happen in the sports world, they rarely happen twice in a row against the same opponent. The Knicks are the worst perimeter shooting units in the NBA and finished their last game out shooting over 50% from deep. Forcing the Bulls defense to stretch out and leave quality looks down low for Randle and company to cook.

Flukes aside, the Bulls still possess one of the best defensive units in basketball that is more than capable of using their length to smother looks from deep. They also can benefit from dropping back and daring them to beat them from deep again as the Knicks do bring in a size advantage down low. Should the Knicks regress back to their mean from deep and fail to get good looks down low then they are in for a long night on the offensive end.

As for the Knicks defense, their defensive intensity will be the key metric to watch for our under tickets to cash as the Bulls bring a balanced scoring attack. While the Bulls are average in the league in total scoring, they stretch out opposing defenses with an efficient completion percentage from deep. The Bulls may struggle to efficiently facilitate early on while thin at guard should Ayo Dosunmu not be able to suit up with Lonzo Ball still out.

Betting Trends

• Under is 6-1 in Knicks last 7 games
• Under is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 home games against a team with a winning record

Key Matchups

Knicks come in with a big mismatch down low. Can the Bulls limit the scoring in the paint?

Knicks down low scoring vs Bulls defense

While shooting inefficiently from the perimeter, the Knicks have had to resort to burning opposing defenses with clean looks at the rim. The addition of Jalen Brunson has done just that, sucking in opposing defenses with his slashing abilities that have also led to more clean looks for Julius Randle and RJ Barrett.

Even if shots fail to fall, they will have a sizable rebounding advantage as that was made apparent in their last game out against the Bulls. Limiting the Bulls second chance opportunities and chipping away with two pointers for themselves only helps our under tickets chance of cashing.

Verdict

Take the under at no lower than 225 in what will be an intense defensive slugfest that will limit each other’s scoring opportunities.

New York Knicks Starting Lineup

PG: Jalen Brunson
SG: Quentin Grimes
SF: RJ Barrett
PF: Julius Randle
C: Mitchell Robinson

Chicago Bulls Starting Lineups

PG: Ayo Dosunmu
SG: Zach LaVine
SF: DeMar DeRozan
PF: Patrick Williams
C: Nikola Vucevic

Key Injuries

New York Knicks Injuries: Ryan Arcidiacono (Q)

Chicago Bulls Injuries: Ayo Dosunmu (Q), Lonzo Ball (O)