The New York Knicks (3-1) roll into the “Windy City” Thursday for a 5 p.m. ET tip-off against an undefeated Chicago Bulls (4-0) at United Center. Below, we look at the Knicks vs. Bulls odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
New York has covered in all its victories including a 112-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Tuesday as a 1-point home favorite. The Knicks have the fifth-best net points per 100 possessions in non-garbage time through four games, according to CleaningTheGlass.com.
Chicago has also covered in all of its victories with the latest being a 111-108 win at the Toronto Raptors as a 2-point favorite. CleaningTheGlass.com ranks the Bulls fourth in net points per 100 possessions but Chicago hasn’t played a team with a winning record from last season.
The Knicks won and covered in two of three regular-season meetings with the Bulls last year. All three games between New York and Chicago last season went Under the total.
New York first-time All-Star forward Julius Randle scored 28.0 points per game (PPG) on 63.2% true shooting (.508/.556/.824) with a plus-15 net rating in three games against Chicago last season.
Knicks at Bulls odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 2:18 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Knicks +102 (bet $100 to win $102) | Bulls -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Knicks +1.5 (-108) | Bulls -1.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Knicks at Bulls key injuries
Knicks
- C Nerlens Noel (knee) out
Bulls
- SG Zach LaVine (thumb) questionable
- PG Coby White (shoulder) out
Knicks at Bulls odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Knicks 110, Bulls 103
Money line
BET the KNICKS (+102) for 1 unit because I have a “wait and see” approach with the Bulls at the moment and New York has more continuity.
Chicago brought in several new pieces this offseason it’s relying on compared to a New York team that added to its playoff nucleus.
The Knicks know exactly what they are and shoot better from the field. New York is seventh in assist-to-turnover rate and fourth in effective field goal shooting (eFG%).
There’s nothing impressive about Chicago’s opponents such as the Detroit Pistons, New Orleans Pelicans and the Raptors. Whereas the Knicks beat the snot out of the Sixers Tuesday.
Against the spread
PASS with a slight “lean” to the Knicks +1.5 (-108) since I’m betting them to win outright. However, I’d need more than 1.5 points worth of insurance with New York. If the Knicks become a 2.5-point or greater underdog then I’d buy some insurance for my New York money line wager.
Over/Under
Slight “LEAN” to the UNDER 216.5 (-112) for a quarter unit only because I much prefer the Knicks outright rather than the total in this game.
The presumed “sharp” side of the market is backing the Under while more bets have been placed on the Over, according to Pregame.com.
Typically, in sports betting, it’s profitable to follow the money especially when it’s flowing in the opposite direction as the public.
Also, through their first four games, the Bulls play at the 26th-fastest pace, and the Knicks clock in at the 27th-fastest pace. However, the total has moved up from the 215-point opener despite more money being on the Under and New York has been red-hot from behind the arc in all three wins.
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