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Free Picks: New York vs. Chicago Gambling Lines & Handicapping Preview

NBA Betting? Knicks vs Bulls Predictions

TNT Thursday night basketball spotlights the New York Knicks against the Chicago Bulls in Chicago, Illinois. Cappers Picks provides free NBA basketball handicapping tips all season long.

After seeing their 3 game winning streak get snapped on Monday, the Bulls will look to get back on track when they welcome in the abysmal New York Knicks on Thursday.

NBA Basketball Odds

New York Knicks (5-22) vs. Chicago Bulls (15-9)
Thursday, Dec. 18
8:00 PM ET
United Center (Chicago, Illinois)
TNT
NBA Basketball Betting Lines: Chicago -10
NBA Basketball O/U: 194.5
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The Knicks come in following a 20 point loss at home to the hands of the Dallas Mavericks.

New York

If things weren’t bad enough for the New York Knicks, news broke last week that Carmelo Anthony may be open to waiving his no trade clause which would allow the Knicks to send him else where. If it does come down to this, the move would benefit both Anthony and the Knicks.

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Carmelo Anthony would likely be on a playoff contending team and the Knicks would free up a lot of salary room. That being said, Carmelo is still a Knick and will look to shine in the spotlight Thursday in Chicago.

After knocking off the Celtics in Boston last Friday, the Knicks looked as if they were slowly figuring things out. They followed up that performance with taking the best team in the Eastern Conference into overtime before ultimately falling to the Raptors.

After putting together two quality games, New York reverted back to their old ways by falling to the Mavericks at Madison Square Garden by 20 points.

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With the New York offensive production typically coming from Carmelo Anthony every night, others will need to step up Thursday if the Knicks want any chance of pulling off the road upset. Anthony has continued to play through soreness in his left knee. His knee hasn’t been much of an issue in the past two Knicks games however, as Carmelo has gone for 34 and 26 respectively in the past two losses.

Needing a boost offensively, look for Tim Hardaway Jr. to step up. Hardaway Jr. is averaging 17.8 points a game over his last four. As a team, the Knicks offense has been a struggle scoring just 93.6 points a game (28th).

Chicago

While the Knicks are off to their worst 27 game start in the team’s history, Chicago finds themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum. The Bulls currently hold the top spot in the NBA Central division and are 4th overall in the Eastern Conference.

The 12th ranked defense in the NBA (98.5 points against) could receive quite the jolt they need to improve that number with Joakim Noah expected to return to the lineup Thursday.

While Noah will certainly help on the defensive end, his offensive contributions will be welcomed back as well. Noah was averaging 8.9 points a game to go along with 9.6 rebounds a game.

The recipe to the Bulls early season success has been the role players contributions every night. Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Pau Gasol all continue to show consistency on both ends of the floor.

At home this season, Chicago is just 4-5 S.U.

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They’re allowing 103.3 points a game inside the United Center, which has led to 7 of the 9 games going over the listed total.

NBA Basketball Trends:

  • Knicks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. Eastern Conference.
  • Knicks are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 Thursday games.
  • Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Thursday games.
  • Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Atlantic.

Free 4* NBA Basketball Pick: New York +10

On paper the Knicks do not belong on the same court as Chicago. That being said, the Knicks tend to get up for TNT Thursday games.

Chicago 99, New York 98

Watch for Carmelo Anthony to have a big game and keep this one close down the stretch.

Check out our Updated NBA Betting Odds.

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By Tony M

Tony is new to Cappers Picks and has been betting on sports since the first day he turned 18. He is a 22 year old Cleveland native who lives and breathes Indians baseball. His dream is to be part of a championship celebration at the corner of Carnegie and Ontario.