New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
United Center – Chicago, Illinois
Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 9:35 pm Eastern, TV: ESPN
Opening Line: Chicago -9 1/2
Current Line: Chicago -7
Opening Total: 185 1/2
Current Total: 187 1/2
Opening Money Line: Bulls -410 / Knicks +340
Current Money Line: Bulls -300 / Knicks +250
On Sunday, the Knicks hosted Bulls. The Knicks won 100-99 in an overtime thriller, despite playing without Amare Stoudemire and Jeremy Lin. Chicago point guard Derrick Rose returned from a 12 game absence due to a groin injury in that game, but sprained his ankle and is listed as doubtful for this game. The Knicks jumped out to an early 21 point lead but the Bulls fought back and took a ten point lead in the fourth, before the Knicks sent it into overtime. The win moved the 29-27 Knicks into a tie with Philadelphia for the #7 seed in the Eastern Conference. Both New York and Philadelphia are 3 games behind Boston in the Atlantic Division. New York is 11-3 since coach Mike D’Antoni resigned March 14, and was replaced by interim coach Mike Woodson.
Chicago, coached by Tom Thibodeau, has the best record in the NBA with a 43-14 record. The Bulls lead Indiana by 8 games for the Central Division, and have a 2 game lead on Miami for the best record in the East. Chicago has lost 3 of their last 4 games to start this month.
This is the fourth and last meeting between the Bulls and Knicks. All three games have been decided by 5 points or less. Chicago won 105-102 in New York February 2, and 104-99 in Chicago March 12. They could meet again in the playoffs, although right now Chicago would play Philadelphia and Miami would play New York in the first round.
New York is outscoring opponents 97-95 this season. The Knicks are shooting 43.7% from the field and 31.9% from 3 point range. New York makes 74.1% from the free throw line. The Knicks average 42.6 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +0.7. New York averages 19.7 assists, 16.3 turnovers, 9.5 steals, and 4.3 blocks. Knick opponents are shooting 44% from the field and 35% from 3 point range. New York forces 17.3 turnovers a game.
Knick forward Carmelo Anthony averages 21.5 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. Forward Amare Stoudemire averages 17.6 points, 8 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. He has missed the last 7 games with a bulging disc and is doubtful against Chicago Tuesday. Point guard Jeremy Lin is out with a torn meniscus in his knee. He could return for the Playoffs if the Knicks make it that far. He averaged 14.6 points, 3.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists to lead the team, and 1.6 steals a game. Center Tyson Chandler averages 11.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game to lead the team in the latter two categories. Guard J.R. Smith averages 10.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals a game in 25 games since coming back from playing in China 25 games ago. Iman Shumpert averages 9.8 points, and leads the Knicks in steals with 1.8 a game. Guard Bill Walker is questionable with an elbow injury.
Chicago is outscoring opponents 97-89 this season. The Bulls are 2nd in points allowed in the NBA. Chicago is shooting 45.3% from the field and 37.5% from 3 point range. The Bulls are in the top eleven in the league in both categories. The Bulls make 72.5% of their free throws. Chicago leads the league in rebounding averaging 46.3 a game with a rebounding margin of +6.3. The Bulls average 22.8 assists, 14.1 turnovers, 7 steals, and 6 blocks a game. Chicago is 4th in the league in assists. Chicago opponents are shooting 42.7% from the field and 32.9% from 3 point range. The Bulls are in the top 5 in the league in all defensive categories. Chicago forces 13.3 turnovers a game.
Rose averages 23 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 7.8 assists a game. He leads the Bulls in scoring and assists. He has missed 22 games this season, and the Bulls are 15-7 in those games, including 8-4 in the current stretch. Forward Luol Deng averages 15.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steal a game. Forward Carlos Boozer averages 15.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal a game. Guard Richard Hamilton averages 10.7 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Back-up point guard C.J. Watson averages 10.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.8 assists a game. He has been starting in place of Rose and will do so again if Rose can’t go because of the ankle. Joakim Noah averages 10 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 blocks a game. Noah leads the Bulls in rebounds and blocks. Ronnie Brewer leads the Bulls in steals with 1.1 a game.
Chicago is 32-24-1 ATS this season and the total is 30-26-1 this season. New York is 29-27 ATS and the total is 22-34 this season. New York is 5-1 ATS in the last 6 against Chicago and 6-2 in Chicago. Six of the last eight games have gone over the total. The Knicks are 7-1 ATS against Central division teams, 6-1 after scoring 100 points or more, 12-3 overall, 11-3 against eastern conference teams, 7-2 against teams with winning records, 6-2 as an underdog, 8-3 after a cover, 5-2 on one day rest, 7-3 after a straight up win, 35-16 in Tuesday games, and 4-9 in road games. The Bulls are 6-2-1 against Eastern Conference teams, 23-9-1 after allowing 100 points or more, 35-14-2 after a straight up loss, 15-6 in Tuesday games, 7-3-1 after failing to cover, 1-3-1 as a home favorite, 1-4-1 as a favorite of 5-10.5 points, 0-3-1 against teams with winning records, and overall, and 0-4-1 as a home favorite of 5-10.5 points.
Chicago has a huge game against Miami coming up Thursday, but they can’t afford to look past a Knicks team that just beat them Sunday. Chicago wins at home, even if Rose doesn’t play, but the Knicks will keep it close as every game between these teams has been so far this season.
