The Bulls will attempt to avoid their first back-to-back losses of the season later tonight when they face the struggling Knicks in New York. This evening’s game, which will be broadcast live on TNT, is scheduled to tip off at 8:00pm ET at the Madison Square Garden. The latest NBA Odds have Chicago listed as a – 4 against the spread road favorite; the game total is set at 190 points.
Chicago looked like a lock to win the Central a few weeks ago, but its status as division leader and the East’s top dog are now in jeopardy. The Bulls, at 18-6, still hold a 1.5 game lead on the Pacers but their lead is looking more tenuous with each passing game. Chicago lost for the third time in its last five games on Wednesday as the fast rising 76ers dumped Derrick Rose and company 98-82 at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Bulls had just two players scores in double figures (Rose and bench guard C.J. Watson) and they were out-rebounded 43 to 37 in the loss. Chicago also turned the ball over 17 times while forcing Philly into just 10 giveaways. 76ers guard Andre Iquodala proved the biggest thorn in the Bulls side, finishing the night with 19 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Most would believe Chicago is catching a break tonight with the Knicks on the schedule, but avoid jumping to that conclusion too fast. New York’s miserable record belies its enormous talent and a team like Chicago coming to town may light a fire under the Knicks.
New York also has something to feel good about for the first time in a long time as it snapped a three game skid and recorded just its second victory in its last 11 games with a 113-86 thrashing of the Pistons on Tuesday night.
The win, which brought the Knicks record to 8-13 and featured the return over Carmelo Anthony from a two game absence, saw New York hit a stunning 60 percent from the field (42-of-70) and 50 percent from beyond the arc (9-of-18). Anthony led the way with 25 points on 9-of-14 shooting, but four other players also notched double figures, including Amare Stoudemire and Tyson Chandler.
The Knicks, which are 3-3 in their last six meetings with Chicago, have also been solid against the number in tonight’s situation, going 7-2-1 against the spread as a home dog with a spread between 4 and 7.5 and a total between 185 and 190.
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Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks 2012 NBA Picks: Provided by SBG Global
Chicago Bulls -4 (-110), Over 190 (-110), -175 (Moneyline)
New York Knicks +4 (-110), Under 190 (-110), +155 (Moneyline)
