The Chicago Bulls (14-8) visit the “Big Apple” to play the New York Knicks (11-10) at Madison Square Garden. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bulls vs. Knicks odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.
Chicago has split its last six games (3-3 overall and ATS), which includes a 109-103 victory over New York Nov. 21. Bulls wings Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan combined for 52 points and the Knicks shot just 26% from behind the arc in that game.
New York has alternated between winning and losing over the past nine games with the latest being a 112-110 loss at the Brooklyn Nets as 6-point road underdogs.
However, the Knicks won the first meeting this season against the Bulls 104-103. The road team has won and covered both Bulls-Knicks games this year.
The Knicks are 10-11 ATS and 8-13 O/U while the Bulls are 14-8 ATS and 10-12 O/U.
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Bulls at Knicks odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 3:50 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Bulls -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Knicks +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bulls -1.5 (-120) | Knicks +1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 209.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Bulls at Knicks key injuries
Bulls
- PG Coby White (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Patrick Williams (wrist) out
Knicks
- SF RJ Barrett (illness) questionable
Bulls at Knicks odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 111, Bulls 106
Money line
“LEAN” to the KNICKS (+105) only because I prefer New York plus the points because there’s not a lot separating these two squads, and this game should come down to the final possessions. However, the Knicks are deeper, and if all things are equal, then I’ll take the home team.
New York has the third-highest scoring bench in the league with the second-best plus/minus. While Chicago is 28th in bench points per game and 13th in plus/minus.
Furthermore, in New York’s Oct. 28th victory over Chicago, Knicks All-Star Julius Randle only scored nine points on 27% shooting, but New York still won on the road.
Moreover, there are basketball edges that the Knicks can exploit in this matchup. Chicago takes a ton of mid-range jumpers and New York has the sixth-best defensive field goal percentage vs. mid-range shots, according to CleaningTheGlass.com.
Finally, these teams have split the eight quarters and the “four factors” over two games so far this year. Sure, the road team won and covered the first two Bulls-Knicks meetings this year.
But, I think that trend breaks Thursday because, generally, role players perform better at home. And, like we just discussed, the Knicks have more depth.
Again, the better play is New York getting the points but I’ll “SPRINKLE” on the KNICKS (+105).
Against the spread
Definitely BET the KNICKS +1.5 (-120) heavier than or instead of New York’s money line based on the aforementioned logic.
For what it’s worth, nearly two-thirds of the cash is on the Bulls at the time of publishing, according to Pregame.com. So, there’s a “fade the market” angle we can work into our KNICKS +1.5 (-105) handicap.
Over/Under
PASS on the total because there are arguments for this game being a rock-fight or an up-and-down thriller. The Bulls have two dynamic scorers, and the Knicks can get hot from behind the arc.
That said, the Under has cashed in five straight Bulls-Knicks games and the total has ticked down a few points from the opener even though a slight majority of the money is on the Over per Pregame.com. For those reasons, I “lean” to the Under but don’t like it enough to bet it.
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