Rose Return Continued: NBA Thursday Matchup – New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls

New York Knicks at Chicago Bulls
Time: 8 PM ET, Oct 31, 2013
TV: TNT
Line: CHI -7.5
M/L: CHI -340; NYK +280
O/U: 188.5

Betting Odds courtesy of 5dimes

The Chicago Bulls opened the season with a tough loss on the road in Miami, but Derrick Rose and company will look to get back on track in a game hosting the New York Knicks. NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes favor the home team Bulls by 7.5 points. Derrick Rose is experiencing neck soreness and is considered a game time decision, but it would be surprising if the one-time MVP didn’t suit up for this one.

The Knicks, meanwhile, are without JR Smith who was suspended five games due to the anti-drug program and Amar’e Stoudemire is questionable and sat out the matchup against Milwaukee on Wednesday. The Knicks still won over the Bucks 90-83. Carmelo Anthony shot 7-of-16 from the floor for 19 points and grabbed 10 boards while Ray Felton chipped in 18 points, and Iman Shumpert contributed 16 points, as we’ll. The Knicks are hoping for more from Andrea Bargnani, who hit just 3-of-9 from the floor and missed all three of his three-point shots. At some point, it will have to be considered whether Bargs is even an upgrade over Steve “Novakaine” Novak.

The Knicks do have depth in the form of Kenyon Martin, Metta World Peace, Beno Udrih and Tim Hardaway, Jr. But the Bulls are arguably the deepest team in the league and Tom Thibodeau engenders a tough defensive team with multiple all-NBA caliber defenders in Jimmy Butler, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah. The Bulls may be a scorer away from contending against the Miami Heat, but the thought is that Butler can up his production and become an effective third/fourth option. Many are high on his talents and his defensive draw of Dwyane Wade will be crucial in the postseason for Chicago.

The Knicks may be able to cover the spread if the team can come out and play tough in the first half as it did against the Bucks. The Knicks will need to avoid a third quarter hangover as experienced in Milwaukee, when the Bucks outscored New York 33-18.

Key Matchup:

Carmelo Anthony vs. Carlos Boozer / Taj Gibson

Expect to see some more of Taj Gibson tonight as he is a much more suitable matchup for Carmelo Anthony than Carlos Boozer. The problem is that sacrificing Boozer’s offense renders Chicago a little weak scoring. Derrick Rose needs Booz on the court to draw some attention away and his mid-range jumper helps spread the court. The reality is that Anthony should be able to abuse Boozer by taking him on the perimeter and just going right around him and strong to the basket. If Chicago can manage to get Gibson quality minutes while still scoring the ball fine, expect the change.