NBA odds: Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks Preview & Pick
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Bulls at Knicks
Date: Saturday, December 25, 12:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Broadcast: ESPN
Bulls vs. Knicks from Sportsbook.com
Bulls: +1.5
Knicks: -1.5
Total: 205
Check Out Our Indepth NBA ATS Betting Stats For This Game —>
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There are five NBA games on tap this Christmas Day, and the most intriguing might be a battle between the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls.
The Knicks (17-12, 19-9-1 ATS) ended a three-game losing streak with Wednesday’s 112-98 victory over Oklahoma City. New York also ended a two-game losing streak against the spread, as it covered the one-point spread.
Defense—or lack thereof—is also an issue under head coach Mike D’Antoni’s system, but it was especially noticeable during New York’s losing streak. The club allowed 113 points per game, about six points higher than the club’s season average.
That’s why the offense needs to be dominant, and it looked pretty sharp against Oklahoma City. Raymond Felton continues to dazzle. The point guard racked up 12 points and 10 assists—his fifth straight game with double digit assists. More importantly, he did it and actually got some rest, too. In Felton’s previous four outings, he averaged nearly 44 minutes per game.
More help from the bench will give all of New York’s starters some fresher legs. Toney Douglas played 21 minutes behind Felton and racked up nine points, five rebounds and five assists. Ronny Turiaf helped ease the pressure on Amare Stoudemire and finished with 11 points in 22 minutes.
Chicago (18-9, 17-9-1 ATS) has won nine of its last 10 games, including two straight. The Bulls beat the Wizards 87-80 on Wednesday to improve to 6-1 ATS in their last seven outings.
The Bulls are trying to overcome injuries up front. Joakim Noah is already out until the New Year, while his replacement Taj Gibson just went down with a concussion. That left the Bulls incredibly thin, with the bench scoring just 12 points.
While the injuries are mounting, Derrick Rose and Carlos Boozer will have to hold the fort. They certainly did against Washington. Boozer racked up 30 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists; Rose scored 25 points and added five rebounds and five assists.
Neither team has much of a bench right now, but at least New York has been dealing with the problem all season. This is a new issue for the Bulls, who will have trouble slowing Stoudemire without Noah (and possibly Gibson).
Trends: The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago’s last 6 games when playing on the road against New York
Chicago is 3-6 ATS in its last 9 games when playing New York
New York is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York’s last 7 games at home
Pick: The Knicks will outgun Chicago and give their fans a nice Christmas present.
Chicago at New York pick: Knicks
Ian Van Den Hurk has covered amateur and pro sports for years, including a successful run handicapping anything from football to mixed martial arts.
