Knicks vs Bulls Picks and Predictions: LaVine Gets Clamped From 3-Point Land

Whatever you may think the ceiling is for this New York Knicks team, their play over the last week and change has been very encouraging. 

Winners of four straight, New York has turned its defense up a notch and now heads on the road to take on a disappointing Chicago Bulls squad at United Center. 

Find out where the value lies with my NBA picks and predictions for Bulls vs. Knicks below. 

Knicks vs Bulls best odds

Knicks vs Bulls picks and predictions

Since Zach LaVine returned to the lineup this season after left knee surgery, he hasn't been quite the same player from last season. His numbers are down across the board and tonight's matchup likely won't see him return to his dominant ways.

Since tightening the rotation, the New York Knicks have become one of the most impressive teams in the NBA (4-0 SU). They lead the league in defensive rating by 5.8 points over that four-game span.

LaVine's made threes prop is sitting at 2.5 and I don't see him covering that number when you consider how strong the Knicks have been defensively over the last 10 days. They've allowed just 7.5 made threes per contest, tops in the NBA over that span. 

When facing the Cavaliers, New York held the dynamic duo of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland to 5 of 20 shooting from 3-point land.

Head coach Tom Thibodeau has figured something out with this team, and they'll make it hard for the Bulls' perimeter players to find any rhythm. 

LaVine has only connected on three shots from beyond the arc in his last two games. I like the Knicks' chances here to contain him.

My best bet: Zach LaVine Under 2.5 made threes (+114)

Knicks vs Bulls spread analysis

Interestingly, despite winning five of their last seven games, the Knicks enter this matchup as 4-point underdogs when the lines initially opened.

The oddsmakers are clearly expressing that while the Knicks have shown improvements, they are not sold on their ability to go into United Center and come out with a victory. Jalen Brunson may or may not suit up, which could have massive implications for the Knicks, but he's currently listed as questionable. 

Tonight is the year's first matchup between the two Eastern Conference teams and a good litmus test as both have their eyes on securing a playoff spot this season. The Bulls being favorites tonight is odd, as the Knicks are playing exceptionally well lately, with incredible defense and Julius Randle finding his groove.

The power forward is averaging 28 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in the last four games. The Bulls don't have anyone who might suggest they can slow him down significantly.  

The Bulls have yet to find their footing this season, sitting in 11th place in the East. Alex Caruso will likely be back in the lineup, which is a positive, but he's been banged up of late. Zach LaVine has been up and down this year, and the Knicks will likely throw aggressive looks at him and force him into bad shots. 

The Knicks are traveling on the road in this one, but they've fared well with an 8-5 ATS record away from Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will look to flank Chicago's perimeter players in this one and force someone on the inside to beat.

With the way New York is attacking opponents on the defensive end (Top-11 defensive rating), I lean on the Knicks to cover the spread and even win outright.

Knicks vs Bulls Over/Under analysis

NBA odds opened tonight's total at 224.5, which has slightly risen to 226.5. 

Tonight's game will likely come down to how effective Chicago's dynamic duo of DeRozan and LaVine can be against this much-improved Knicks defense.

For the season, Chicago's offense has been disappointing (110.7 offensive rating, 19th highest in the NBA). On the other hand, the Knicks have the top defensive rating in the entire league over their four-game winning streak. 

The Knicks' defense has been dominant lately, pressuring offenses into bad shots and turnovers. The Knicks have held opponents to under 100 points in three of their last four, and they have a great chance of making another statement tonight.

Two other factors here: the Knicks have slowed things down considerably and are a Bottom-10 team in pace during this successful stretch. Chicago does like to push the ball (ranked eighth in pace), so this will be about who imposes their style on the other.

I'm banking on the hot team to do so. The Knicks will slow this game down, force Chicago into bad shots, and keep this Under the total.

Knicks vs Bulls betting trend to know

The Under is 6-0 in the Knicks' last six games overall and 6-1 in their last seven meetings with Chicago. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Bulls.

Knicks vs Bulls game info

Knicks vs Bulls key injuries

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