The New York Knicks are in Windy City to play back-to-back games against the Chicago Bulls beginning this Thursday. Will the Knicks keep their win streak alive? Or, will the Bulls trip up New York?

Catch this game live on Thursday, December 15, at 8:30 AM, Manila time

Away: New York Knicks (14-13/7-6 Away)

Projected Starting Five:

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

The Knicks will look to sustain their form and stay hot this Thursday. New York is on a four-game undefeated streak after beating the Sacramento Kings at home last Monday, 112-99. With plenty of rest and without the need to hit the road for Thursday’s meeting with the Bulls, the Knicks should have their legs back under them when they hit the floor again. They are also hoping that Jalen Brunson will be out there on the floor Thursday after he hurt his foot against the Kings. 

He is listed as questionable as of this writing, and if he can’t go, New York will take a committee approach in the backcourt, with Immanuel Quickley and Derrick Rose sharing most of the load at the point guard slot.  But leave it to the Knicks’ frontcourt to capitalize on their advantage over the Bulls. The Knicks are fourth in the NBA in points in the paint (55.9) and third in rebounds (56.0) per game. Their defense has also been tighter of late, having limited their last four opponents to only 39.1 FG% and 22.1 3FG%.

New York has covered the spread in all of its past four outings.

Home: Chicago Bulls (11-15/7-5 Home)

Projected Starting Five:

  • PG: Alex Caruso (probable)
  • SG: Zach LaVine
  • SF: DeMar DeRozan
  • PF: Patrick Williams
  • C: Nikola Vucevic

The Bulls were on their way to winning their third in a row last Monday, but the Atlanta Hawks snatched a win from the jaws of defeat to hand Chicago a 123-122 overtime loss. That said, Chicago’s offense has picked up of late, as it’s averaged 127.0 points on 53.5 FG% and 42.9 3FG%. The triumvirate of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic has been the major reason behind Chicago’s rampaging attack lately. 

In the last three Chicago games, DeRozan has put up 29.7 points on 54.5 FG% shooting, while LaVine and Vucevic generated 20.7 and 19.3 points, respectively, with each shooting over 52 FG%. But don’t forget about the Bulls’ defense. It’s been pretty solid for the most part of the season. Despite being just 16th in the NBA with 113.3 points allowed per game, the Bulls’ defense is fourth overall when adjusted to opposing offenses faced, surrendering just 109.8 points given up per 100 possessions.

The Under is 6-1-1 in the Bulls’ last eight games in Windy City.

PREDICTIONS:

Spread: The Bulls (-4) cover the spread.

Over/Under: The total (226.5) hits the Under.