The Chicago Bulls welcome the New York Knicks to the United Center in NBA action on Friday night. With just six games remaining in the regular season, New York is in fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings and could climb as high as No. 2. Meanwhile, Chicago is in ninth place and is locked into a spot in the play-in tournament.
This is expected to be a close contest with NBA odds installing the Bulls as slim 1.5-point home favorites with the Over/Under at 211.5. Here are my best free NBA picks and predictions for the Bulls vs. Knicks on April 5.
Knicks vs Bulls predictions
My best bet: Bulls moneyline (-118 at DraftKings)
The New York Knicks are fresh off a 120-109 victory against the Kings last night, where they trailed by 21 points in the second quarter. That snapped a three-game losing skid where they went 0-3 against the spread.
Not only are the Knicks playing on back-to-back nights, but they also played in Miami on Tuesday night. Three games in four days is tough, especially at this time of the season when players are feeling worn out.
That will be felt even more by a Tom Thibodeau coached team that that runs on a short rotation and is missing two of its best players in OG Anunoby and Julius Randle. At full strength, this Knicks team would be formidable, but playing without Randle and Anunoby since the end of January they've gone 13-14.
To be fair, the Chicago Bulls are also missing a pair of key pieces. The Bulls shut down Zach LaVine for season-ending surgery on January 18, and forward Patrick Williams saw his season end soon after.
Since losing those two starters, the Bulls have gone 15-15, essentially putting them on the same level as the injury-depleted Knicks. However, they should have the edge in this spot, given that they haven't played since Monday and will be well-rested. With home-court advantage also on their side, that's enough to tip the edge in their direction.
Knicks vs Bulls same-game parlay
Bulls moneyline
Donte DiVincenzo Over 19.5 points
Over 212
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Since the injury to Anunoby back in Janaury, Donte DiVincenzo is averaging 21.4 points in 37.6 minutes per game. Over that 29-game span he's averaging a whopping 12.4 3-point attempts per game and knocking down 4.8 of them. He should have offensive success against the Bulls, who allow the second-most threes per game (14.7) in the NBA.
With their extremely slow pace and stingy defense, oddsmakers have been setting low totals for Knicks contests. However, those O/U numbers might be a tad too low since the Over has cashed in eight of their last nine games. With Chicago ranking 27th in the league in defensive rating since the All-Star break, the Over looks like the play.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
Knicks vs Bulls odds and trends
Knicks vs Bulls live odds
Knicks vs Bulls opening odds
- Spread: New York +1 (-110) | Chicago -1 (-110)
- Moneyline: New York -105 | Chicago -115
- Over/Under: Over 211 (-110) | Under 211 (-110)
Knicks vs Bulls spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Bulls opened as 1-point faves with the O/U at 211.5 and as of 10 a.m. ET both numbers have grown by half a point.
- The Bulls are coming off a 109-103 loss to the Hawks and they are 7-8 SU and 5-10 ATS over the last month.
- Despite the absences of Randle and Anunoby, the Knicks have continued to be competitive and are 9-6 SU and 9-5-1 ATS in their last 15 games.
- These teams have clashed just once previously this season, with the Knicks winning 116-100 at home on January 3. They will meet up three times in the next 10 days.
Knicks vs Bulls trend
The Chicago Bulls have hit the team total Over in 26 of their last 39 games (+10.80 Units / 24% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Bulls.
Knicks vs Bulls game info
| Location: | United Center, Chicago, IL |
| Date: | Friday, April 5, 2024 |
| Tip-off: | 8:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NBCS-CHI, MSG |
Not intended for use in MA.
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