Knicks vs. Bulls Betting Line Opens at Chicago -7
The Knicks vs. Bulls betting line had Chicago as a -7 favorite. Remember to claim your $100 Free bet here.
Sportsbok.ag Line & Total: Chicago -7.5 & 188
The Knicks look to improve to 2-0 while the Bulls aim for their first win of the young season when these two teams square off in Chicago on Thursday night.
The Bulls lost their first game of the season Tuesday, 107-95 to the Heat, while the Knicks started off with a 90-83 home victory over the Bucks on Wednesday. Chicago has dominated this series recently with five straight victories (SU and ATS) over New York, which includes last season's four-game sweep that occurred without superstar PG Derrick Rose. He returned from a torn ACL to play his first regular season game in over a year against the Heat on Tuesday, but made just 4-of-15 shots, including 1-of-7 threes. Although Chicago got off to a slow start on Tuesday, the team is 8-0 ATS after scoring 35 points or less in the first half of their last game since Tom Thibodeau took over as head coach. However, the Knicks are 19-7 ATS (73%) when playing on back-to-back nights since Mike Woodson started coaching the team. In addition to SG J.R Smith being out with a four-game suspension for violating the NBA’s drug policy, the Knicks could be without starting PG Raymond Felton who injured his hamstring on Wednesday and is considered questionable. However, PF Amar'e Stoudemire will make his season debut on Thursday replacing PF Kenyon Martin, who won't play back-to-back games.
The Knicks nearly squandered a 25-point halftime lead Wednesday against the Bucks, needing to overcome a deficit with less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. New York was able to pull away to win by seven points behind the superb play of C Tyson Chandler who blocked five shots while adding 10 points, six rebounds and three steals in what was an amazing defensive performance by the former NBA Defensive Player of the Year. SF Carmelo Anthony scored only 19 points (7-of-16 FG), but pulled down 10 rebounds while adding some timely buckets for New York in the fourth quarter. Anthony scored 34.7 PPG against Chicago last season, but made just 41% FG and 28% threes in the series. PG Raymond Felton added 18 points, three assists and three steals for New York on Wednesday despite pulling his hamstring in the second half. If he can't go, that would be a big loss for the Knicks considering he produced 22.3 PPG, 5.3 RPG and 4.7 APG in three games versus Chicago last season. SG Iman Shumpert made his bid to keep his starting job when J.R Smith returns from suspension, adding 16 points (5-of-13 FG), four rebounds and a block in 33 minutes. The Knicks will need to cut down on their turnovers if they are going to beat the Bulls, as they finished the game with a miserable 22 giveaways. But the defense forced 24 Bucks miscues and compiled a dozen steals.
The Bulls had a poor defensive showing in their opener, allowing the Heat to score 107 points on 51.4% FG and 11-of-20 threes (55%). Although PG Derrick Rose looked healthy in his first game back on the court since April 28, 2012, he struggled defensively at times. Rose finished the game with 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting and four assists, but allowed Heat PG Mario Chalmers to outscore him with 13 points. Rose has punished the Knicks in his career though, scoring 24.7 PPG on 48% FG with 7.1 APG in the 13 meetings. The best player on the court for the Bulls on Tuesday was PF Carlos Boozer. He was unstoppable at times and finished the game 13-of-18 from the floor for 31 points, seven rebounds and a block. SG Jimmy Butler, who could be poised for a breakout season, scored 20 points and also led his team with five steals and a +10 rating. As Rose begins to get more comfortable with regular season basketball, the Bulls will continue to improve. Their tough frontcourt has provided the Knicks with problems in the past, but SF Luol Deng and C Joakim Noah will need to perform much better than Tuesday when the duo combined for just six points on 3-of-12 shooting.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
