Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks
Madison Square Garden – New York City, New York
Sunday, April 8, 2012, 1:00 pm Eastern, TV: ABC
Opening Line: Chicago -3
Current Line: Chicago -2 1/2
Opening Total: 186 1/2
Current Total: 184 1/2
Opening Money Line: Bulls -145 / Knicks +125
Current Money Line: Bulls -140 / Knicks +120
The 43-13 Chicago Bulls, coached by Tom Thibodeau, have the best record in basketball. The Bulls lead the Central Division by 9 games over the Indiana Pacers. Chicago has a 3 game lead over Miami for best record in the East, and leads San Antonio by 2.5 games for best record in the league. This is despite being without All-star point guard Derrick Rose, the reigning league MVP. Rose has missed the last 12 games with a groin injury, but is probable Sunday against the Knicks. The Bulls beat Boston Thursday night 93-86 in Chicago to snap a 2 game losing streak. Chicago hadn’t lost two games in a row during the regular season since February of 2011 before this week.
The 28-27 New York Knicks are 10-3 under interim coach Mike Woodson. Woodson took over the team last month when coach Mike D’Antoni resigned. The Knicks are currently in the 8th and final playoff spot in the East. The Knicks hold a narrow half game lead over Milwaukee for the #8 seed. New York won at Orlando Thursday night 96-80.
Chicago has beaten New York 3 straight times including a pair of narrow wins this season. The Bulls won at New York 105-102 February 2, and at home 104-99 March 12. This is the first of a home and home series, as the Bulls and Knicks will also play Tuesday night in Chicago. The two teams would meet in the first round of the playoffs if the season ended today.
Chicago is outscoring opponents 97-89 this season. The Bulls are 2nd in points allowed in the NBA. Chicago is shooting 45.4% from the field and 37.6% from 3 point range. The Bulls are in the top ten in the league in both categories. The Bulls make 72.5% of their free throws. Chicago leads the league in rebounding averaging 46 a game with a rebounding margin of +6.1. The Bulls average 23 assists, 14 turnovers, 7.1 steals, and 5.9 blocks a game. Chicago is 4th in the league in assists. Chicago opponents are shooting 42.8% from the field and 33.3% from 3 point range. The Bulls are in the top 7 in the league in all defensive categories. Chicago forces 13.3 turnovers a game.
Rose averages 22.8 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 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 15.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.1 steal a game. Forward Carlos Boozer averages 15.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal a game. Guard Richard Hamilton averages 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Back-up point guard C.J. Watson averages 10.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists a game. He has been starting in place of Rose, but he is probable with an arm injury Sunday. Joakim Noah averages 10 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2.6 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.
New York is outscoring opponents 97-94 this season. The Knicks are shooting 43.9% from the field and 32.1% 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 +1. New York averages 19.7 assists, 16.5 turnovers, 9.5 steals, and 4.3 blocks. Knick opponents are shooting 44.1% from the field and 35.1% from 3 point range. New York forces 17.2 turnovers a game.
Knick forward Carmelo Anthony averages 21 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 6 games with a bulging disc and is questionable against Chicago Sunday. 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 11.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game to lead the team in the latter two categories. He is probable with a hand injury. Guard J.R. Smith averages 10.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Iman Shumpert averages 9.7 points, and leads the Knicks in steals with 1.8 a game. Forward Jared Jeffries (knee) and guard Bill Walker (elbow) are both questionable for Sunday.
New York is 28-27 ATS and the total is 21-34 this season. Chicago is 32-23-1 ATS and the total is 29-26-1 this season. New York is 4-1 ATS against Chicago in the last 5 meetings. The under is 7-2 in the last 9 at MSG between the teams. The Bulls are 6-1-1 ATS against Eastern Conference teams, 8-2 as a road favorite, 19-7 in road games, 5-2-1 on two days rest, and 1-3-1 against teams with winning records. The Knicks are 5-0 ATS at home against teams with winning road records, 4-0 as a home underdog, and as a home dog of less than 4.5 points, 6-1 against Central Division teams, 4-1 as an underdog of 4.5 points or less, 11-3 overall, 10-3 against Eastern Conference teams, 16-5 at home, 6-2 against teams with winning records, 5-2 after a win by 10 points or more, and as an underdog, 7-3 after a cover, 3-7 on 2 days rest, and 1-4 in Sunday games.
Both of these teams have won games despite injuries to key players. That will certainly help them in the playoffs. Chicago is the healthier team as it looks like Rose will play for the first time in a month. I like Chicago to win against a banged-up Knicks team. Yes, New York won Thursday night on the road against a dysfunctional Orlando team, but Orlando is not Chicago.
