Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks Picks and Predictions January 4th 2025

Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks January 4th 2025

At 8:00 ET, the Knicks (-215) will take on the Bulls (+180) in a conference matchup. The Knicks are favored by 5.5 and have a record of 24-11. The Bulls are 10th in the East with a record of 15-19.

This game will be played at the United Center in Chicago and can be seen on MSG. The over/under line is set at 234 points.

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Knicks vs. Bulls Key Information

The Knicks fell to 24-11 on the season after a 117-107 loss to the Thunder on Friday. New York, who entered the game as +4 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game finished just under the line of 224.5, with a combined 224 points.

New York appeared to be in control after a strong 2nd quarter, outscoring the Thunder 36-21. However, a 10-0 run by the Thunder in the 3rd quarter brought them back into the game. The Knicks led 88-80 going into the 4th, but the Thunder dominated the final period, outscoring New York 37-19.

The Knicks struggled from beyond the arc in their loss to the Thunder, hitting just 9 threes at a 28.1% clip. Overall, they shot 47.8% from the field.

Mikal Bridges led the way with 24 points, scoring 10 in the 2nd quarter. Jalen Brunson added 22, including 10 in the 4th, and OG Anunoby contributed 20 points.

The Knicks put together a strong defensive effort in the 2nd and 3rd quarters but struggled in the 1st and 4th, giving up 33 and 37 points, respectively, in their 117-107 loss to the Thunder. New York allowed Oklahoma City to shoot 51% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Thunder hit 14 threes at a 51% clip. The Knicks sent Oklahoma City to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 17 attempts. New York finished with 31 defensive rebounds, gave up 7 offensive boards, and recorded 7 steals.

The Bulls fell to 15-19 on the season after a 125-107 road loss to the Wizards on Wednesday. Chicago, who entered the game as 6-point favorites, not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The combined score of 232 points was under the pre-game O/U line of 241.

Chicago trailed by 2 points after the 1st quarter and 2nd quarter, but the Wizards pulled away in the 3rd, outscoring the Bulls 36-29. Heading into the 4th quarter down 91-80, the Bulls couldn’t mount a comeback, as Washington outscored them 34-27 in the final period.

In their 125-107 loss to the Wizards, the Bulls struggled offensively, shooting 44.6% from the field and just 29.8% from three-point range. Despite the poor shooting, they managed to hit 14 threes in the game.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 32 points, shooting 60% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 37.5%. Coby White added 17 points, while Nikola Vucevic contributed 12 points and 14 rebounds, despite shooting just 29.4% and 22.2% from three.

The Bulls’ defense struggled in their 125-107 loss to the Wizards, particularly in the 3rd and 4th quarters, where they gave up 36 and 34 points, respectively. Chicago allowed Washington to shoot 49% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Wizards hit 17 threes at a 47% clip. The Bulls sent Washington to the line 12 times, where they made 10 free throws. Chicago finished with 36 defensive rebounds, 11 steals, and 6 blocks.

As the underdogs with a spread of +5.5, we recommend going with the Bulls on the point spread. We not only see them covering the spread but also have a strong likelihood of winning this one outright, especially if you’re seeking a higher payout on the moneyline.

Regarding the over/under, the current line is set at 234, and our model predicts the Knicks and Bulls to score a combined 252 points. We recommend betting on the over.

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Knicks Bid to Bounce Back in Clash with Bulls

The New York Knicks are looking to rebound quickly after their nine-game winning streak was snapped in a 117-107 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. Facing a back-to-back challenge, the Knicks head to Chicago to take on the Bulls on Saturday night.

Knicks Seek Bench Support

New York’s starters carried a heavy load against the Thunder, with each playing at least 40 minutes. Despite their efforts, the bench contributed just five points, compared to 44 from Oklahoma City’s reserves. Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau emphasized the need for a team-wide response.

“Our bench is more than capable,” Thibodeau said. “We win together, we lose together.”

Mikal Bridges led the Knicks with 24 points, while Karl-Anthony Towns added a dominant double-double of 17 points and 22 rebounds. However, a fourth-quarter collapse saw the Knicks outscored 37-19, sealing their fate.

Bulls Eye Consistency

The Chicago Bulls are also looking to bounce back after a disappointing 125-107 road loss to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday. Despite Zach LaVine’s game-high 32 points, the Bulls were undone by 20 turnovers and a subpar 29.8 percent performance from beyond the arc.

Coach Billy Donovan expressed frustration with the team’s execution and preparation.

“We did not play to a level or to an identity that we’ve tried to do,” Donovan said. “That was the discouraging part because I felt like we weren’t making shots, and then it bled into some other things.”

Previous Matchup and Series Outlook

Saturday’s game will decide the three-game season series between the two teams. The Bulls won the first meeting, a thrilling 124-123 victory on Nov. 13, when Coby White sank three free throws with three seconds remaining.

In that contest, Karl-Anthony Towns led the Knicks with a massive 46-point, 10-rebound performance, while LaVine paced the Bulls with 31 points and eight assists.

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The Bulls lead the all-time series 129-118, but the Knicks have taken six of the past 10 matchups.

Key Players to Watch

• Knicks: Towns is in excellent form, having scored at least 30 points in three of his past four games. Bridges remains a key offensive contributor, and the Knicks will look to him to maintain his scoring touch.
• Bulls: LaVine has been a consistent force against the Knicks, averaging 23 points in 20 career games against them. Nikola Vucevic, who has five double-doubles in his past 10 games versus New York, will be another critical factor for Chicago.

Both teams will aim to find their rhythm and consistency in what promises to be an intense matchup.