The Chicago Bulls (20-39) visit the Big Apple on Saturday to play the New York Knicks (17-42) in Madison Square Garden at 5 p.m. ET. We analyze the Bulls-Knicks odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.
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Bulls at Knicks: Key injuries
BULLS
- SG Tomas Satoransky (thumb) probable
- C Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) questionable
- SG Coby White (back) questionable
- SG Denzel Valentine (hamstring) out
- SF Chandler Hutchison (shoulder) out
- SF Otto Porter Jr. (foot) out
- PG Kris Dunn (knee) out
- PF Lauri Markkanen (pelvis) out
- PF Luke Kornet (ankle) out
KNICKS
- PF Taj Gibson (back) probable
- PG Frank Ntilikina (groin) questionable
- PG Dennis Smith Jr. (concussion) out
Bulls at Knicks lines, picks and betting tips
NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:55 a.m. ET.
Prediction
Knicks 109, Bulls 103
Moneyline (ML)
Both teams are tanking knowingly or unwittingly, either way, they’ve been downright terrible of late. The Bulls (+125) have lost nine of their previous 10 games and the Knicks (-150) come into Saturday’s game on a six-game losing streak. The season series is tied up at 1-1 with both teams winning their home games. New York has a major advantage hosting the Bulls in an earlier tip-off on a weekend day. This isn’t breaking news, but the lure of New York City is fun on Friday night for visitors. Also, Chicago could be without four starters in their opening day lineup (Carter Jr. is close to returning).
BET KNICKS -150. New to sports betting? Bet $150 on the Knicks -150 to earn a $100 profit if they win outright.
Line/Against the Spread (ATS)
Sometimes the Bulls can get up against a quality opponent and wilt against a bad team. Case in point is their close loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 124-122, Feb. 25, and the Bulls’ 1-6 against the spread record in their last seven games versus a team sub.-500. Rehashing my previous take of how New York’s vibrant nightlife could come into play: Chicago is 2-7 ATS in their last nine games in New York, and the Knicks are 4-0 ATS in their last four Saturday games.
TAKE KNICKS -2.5 (-115).
Over/Under (O/U)
Let’s stick with the weekend malaise narrative, and let me cite the Under is 14-3 in the Knicks’ last 17 Saturday games trend. Chicago is ranked 27th in offensive rating, and New York is 28th. I only LEAN toward UNDER 215.5 (-106) because the Over/Under record is 1-1 in their first two meetings this season, the Bulls have cashed two consecutive Overs, and the Knicks have cashed three straight Overs.
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