New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls Picks and Predictions November 13th 2024

Knicks vs Bulls November 13th 2024

At 7:30 ET, the New York Knicks (-344) will host the Chicago Bulls (+275) in a game that can be seen on MSG. The Knicks are favored by 8 points and the over/under line is currently sitting at 227.5.

Chicago enters this Eastern Conference matchup with a record of 4-7, which has them sitting in 10th place in the East. The Knicks are 5-5 and are currently 4th in the Central Division.

Bulls vs. Knicks Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks
• Where: New York at Madison Square Garden
• Date: Wednesday, November 13th
• Betting Odds NY -8, CHI +275 | NY -344 O/U 227.5

The Bulls Can Win If…

After a 119-113 loss to the Cavaliers on Monday, the Bulls are now 4-7 this season. Chicago was +8.5 point underdogs at home but managed to cover the spread. The total points for the game were 232, just under the O/U line of 237.

A key moment came when the Cavs went on a 10-0 run, stretching the score from 44-42 to 52-44. Chicago stayed close, trailing 95-92 going into the 4th quarter, but Cleveland outscored them 24-21 in the final period.

Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 26 points in their 119-113 loss to the Cavaliers, scoring 11 in the 4th quarter. Nikola Vucevic and Coby White each added 20 points, with White hitting 5 threes at 45.5%.

The Bulls made 14 threes, shooting 36.8% from deep and 49.4% overall. LaVine shot 60% from the field, while Vucevic matched his efficiency.

Defensively, the Bulls struggled in the 1st and 2nd quarters, giving up 34 and 33 points, respectively, but tightened up in the 3rd and 4th, allowing 28 and 24 points. Overall, they gave up 119 points in the loss to the Cavaliers.

Chicago held Cleveland to 44% shooting, including 33% from beyond the arc, where the Cavaliers made 15 threes. The Bulls also sent Cleveland to the line 24 times, where they hit 18 free throws. Chicago finished with 43 defensive rebounds, allowing 12 offensive boards, and added 7 steals and 5 blocks.

• Through their last ten road games, Chicago has an ATS record of just 6-4. However, their overall record was 5-5 while averaging 117 points per game.
• Spanning across their last ten games as the betting underdog, the Bulls have gone 5-5 vs the spread. Their overall record in these games was 4-6.
• Over their last three games, the Bulls have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Knicks Can Win If…

The Knicks evened their season record at 5-5 with a 111-99 road win over the 76ers on Tuesday. New York, favored by 3.5 points, covered the spread, while the game’s total of 210 points fell just short of the 212.5 over/under line.

New York took control in the 4th quarter, going on a decisive 13-0 run that stretched the score from 77-75 to 88-77. They outscored Philadelphia 33-24 in the final period to seal the win.

OG Anunoby’s 24 points on 68.8% shooting led the Knicks to a win over the 76ers, with Karl-Anthony Towns adding 21 points and 13 rebounds. Jalen Brunson contributed 18 points, 10 of which came in the 4th quarter.

The Knicks shot 49.4% from the field but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 29% of their threes and making only 9 in total. Anunoby connected on 2 threes at a 50% rate.

The Knicks put together a strong defensive performance, holding the 76ers to just 99 points while giving up 25 points in each of the first three quarters and 24 in the 4th. New York limited Philadelphia to 37% shooting from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Knicks held the 76ers to 33% shooting, with 14 made threes. New York also recorded 39 defensive rebounds, gave up 9 offensive boards, and finished with 8 steals and 5 blocks.

• When looking at their past three home matchups, New York has an ATS record of 1-2 while averaging 116 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
• Looking back on the team’s last ten games as the favorite, the Knicks have a straight up record of 5-5. Their record vs the spread in these games was 5-5.
• In their last five games, the Knicks have an over/under record of 1-4 and are 3-2 vs. the spread.

The Lean

Coming in as the underdogs at +8, we have the Bulls as the way to go on the point spread. Not only do we have them covering, but our projections show they have a good one of winning this one straight-up, if you’re looking for a higher payout on the moneyline.

Right now, the over/under line for the game is sitting at 227.5 and given that our model is projecting 252 points between the teams, we like the over.

Daily NBA Picks & Predictions from The Best Expert Handicappers

Josh Hart, Knicks Aim to Take Down Bulls in Key NBA Cup Matchup

The New York Knicks are looking to secure consecutive wins for just the second time this season as they host the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday night. Fresh off a strong performance against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Knicks aim to continue their winning streak in this NBA Cup group play game, where Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns are emerging as critical pieces in the Knicks’ competitive push.

Knicks’ Recent Victory and Strong Defensive Performance

On Tuesday, the Knicks claimed a decisive 111-99 win over the Philadelphia 76ers, opening their NBA Cup group play with a show of defensive grit and offensive resilience. Josh Hart led the way, logging his seventh career triple-double and his first of the season with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists. Hart has shown remarkable consistency this season, averaging career-highs in both rebounds (9.3) and assists (5.6). His standout performance is a testament to his growing role and adaptability within the Knicks’ evolving rotation.

Though he mentioned in the preseason feeling “lost” with the Knicks’ new roster structure, Hart has embraced a pivotal role, proving to be a valuable playmaker and reliable scorer. Coach Tom Thibodeau praised Hart’s resilience and humorously added, “A lot of what he says, you’ve got to let go in one ear and out the other. He likes to hear himself talk… but I love Josh.” Thibodeau’s comment underscores Hart’s essential role as a playmaker and team personality in New York’s lineup.

Karl-Anthony Towns: A Consistent Offensive and Defensive Force

Big man Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks’ headline addition this offseason, has already proven himself invaluable, putting up impressive stats since joining the team. Although his streak of 30-plus-point games ended against the 76ers, Towns still contributed a solid 21 points and 13 rebounds, reinforcing his impact as both a scorer and a defender. His presence inside the paint provides the Knicks with much-needed consistency in scoring and rebounding, adding depth and strength to their frontcourt.

Chicago Bulls Struggling with Turnovers and Defensive Gaps

While the Knicks build momentum, the Chicago Bulls are grappling with significant challenges, having dropped five of their last six games. In their recent 119-113 loss to the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers, the Bulls demonstrated their scoring capability, with Zach LaVine leading the way with 26 points, followed by strong efforts from Nikola Vucevic and Coby White, who each added 20. However, the Bulls’ 21 turnovers handed Cleveland a crucial advantage, allowing them to convert those mistakes into 35 points. Currently, the Bulls average 16.5 turnovers per game, ranking seventh-most in the NBA—a weakness they must address to be competitive.

LaVine acknowledged the team’s turnover struggles, stating, “That’s probably where a few turnovers came from, just leaving my feet. It’s been a little bit of an issue, but I’m the first one to look in the mirror and say I’ve got to be better in that area.” His self-awareness points to the Bulls’ need for a more disciplined offensive approach, especially when facing a Knicks team that has proven effective at capitalizing on opponents’ mistakes.

Defensive Challenges Plaguing the Bulls

Beyond turnovers, the Bulls’ defense has been a persistent Achilles’ heel, especially during their current rough stretch. They’ve allowed at least 119 points in each of their last five losses, resulting in an average of 120.7 points allowed per game—the fourth-worst in the league this season. This vulnerability could play to the Knicks’ advantage, especially as the Knicks have shown improvement in their own defensive performance.

Knicks’ Defense: A Tale of Two Strategies

The Knicks’ defense, however, tells a more positive story. While they allow an average of 111.2 points per game overall, in games where they’ve come out victorious, they’ve held opponents to just 99.2 points on average. Tuesday’s win over the 76ers, where New York held Philadelphia under 100 points, showcases their ability to tighten up defensively, particularly in the fourth quarter.

Karl-Anthony Towns emphasized this aspect post-game, stating, “Our defense sustained throughout the game and in the fourth quarter. So it’s something to be proud of, something to hang our hat on and build off.” The Knicks have limited opponents to fewer than 100 points in each of their last three wins, signaling a strong defensive foundation that could give them the edge against the struggling Bulls.

Game Outlook: Knicks’ Consistency vs. Bulls’ Adjustments

Heading into Wednesday’s matchup, the Knicks are the more cohesive team, with Hart and Towns both stepping into critical roles. If the Knicks can continue their defensive intensity and exploit the Bulls’ turnover tendencies, they’ll be well-positioned to secure another win and gain an early advantage in their NBA Cup group.

For the Bulls, the key will be to limit turnovers and find defensive solutions to counteract New York’s varied offensive threats. If LaVine and Vucevic can adjust their pace and tighten their defensive rotations, Chicago could challenge the Knicks and perhaps turn their season in a more positive direction.

Conclusion

This matchup presents a compelling story of two teams heading in opposite directions. The Knicks, led by Hart and Towns, appear to be gelling as a unit and bringing reliable defensive energy into every game. The Bulls, meanwhile, must address their turnover and defensive issues to stand a chance against New York’s in-form roster. Fans can look forward to an intense, strategic showdown as both teams push for progress in this new NBA Cup format.