Chicago @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 10, 2018 ) Chicago 122, New York 119

The New York Knicks will try to close out a long homestand with a rare winning streak when they host the Chicago Bulls on Monday in a matchup of two teams playing out the string. The Knicks ended a nine-game losing streak with a 124-101 rout of Charlotte on Saturday, displaying a rare dose of solid defensive play to improve to 17-17 at home.

"One of the keys tonight was maybe to wake some players on this team. Maybe wake everybody up," rookie guard Frank Ntilikina told reporters after his team won for just the second time in the last 19 games. "I mean, we were just tired of losing and we showed it tonight." The Bulls have exchanged wins and losses through the first eight games this month after dropping a 114-109 decision at home to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday. Denzel Valentine erupted for a career-high 34 points in the loss and he has made 13-of-18 3-pointers over the past two contests. Valentine was one of three Chicago players to score at least 20 points - led by rookie Lauri Markkanen's 33 - in a 122-119 overtime win at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 10.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE BULLS (24-45): Markkanen has missed three games in a row with a back issue while both Kris Dunn and Zach LaVine sat out Saturday's loss with injuries, but Chicago still managed to stay close with the Cavaliers and LeBron James. "It shows we have a great young core, no matter who's out there," Valentine told the media. "KD, Lauri and Zach were hurt so we've got to pick it up. Guys played hard and we fought to the end. Best player on the planet just put the team on his back and got a win." Cameron Payne chipped in 13 points and a career-high 10 assists in the setback.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (25-45): Tim Hardaway Jr. was the only New York starter to score in double digits with 25 points against Charlotte. "I just hate to lose in general," Hardaway told the media. "I was just trying to stay calm, stay poised if we were in a situation where we were down or it was close in the game." Ntilikina led a group of four reserves with at least 12 points as New York posted its best offensive output in a regulation game since March 9, 2016.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Bulls PF Bobby Portis is averaging 18 points to go along with 9.8 rebounds in four games since being held to two points on 1-of-10 shooting in a loss at Detroit on March 9.

2. Knicks PF Isaiah Hicks had 12 points on 5-of-5 shooting against Charlotte after producing a total of 19 points on 8-of-20 through his first seven games as a pro.

3. Chicago won all three previous meetings this season by a combined 10 points.

PREDICTION: Knicks 110, Bulls 108