Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Predictions, Odds, Picks

Dec. 2, 2021
Michael Crosson
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

Nationally televised NBA action will resume on Thursday night with a heavyweight Eastern Conference bout between the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks. Coverage begins from Madison Square Garden at 7:30 E.T. on NBA TV.

Score Prediction

Bulls 112, Knicks 104

Best Bets

Chicago -2 (-110) at DraftKings

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Predictions

After finishing fourth in the East with a record of 41-31 last year, New York continued barreling full steam ahead with an excellent start to this season, as the Knicks closed October at a solid 5-1 mark – which included impressive victories over the Sixers, Celtics, and Bulls.

The Knicks somewhat struggled throughout November though, considering New York enters Tuesday’s contest following losses in nine of the last 15 games – with six of those defeats coming by nine points or more.

On the other hand, Chicago also stormed out to a strong start to the new season, as the Bulls kicked things off with wins in five of their first six games – which included impressive upset victories over the Jazz and Celtics.

Chicago slightly cooled in November though, as the Bulls posted a pedestrian tally of 9-7 across their latest 16-game window – which isn’t all that bad, considering they were favored in just nine of those matchups.

I’ll lay the points with Chicago here, as the Knicks enter Thursday’s contest following losses in nine of their last 15 games – making New York extremely difficult to trust while playing with a rest disadvantage against versatile squads like the Bulls.

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Betting Odds

  • Bulls -130
  • Knicks +110
  • Bulls -2 (-110)
  • Knicks +2 (-110)
  • OU 214 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Betting Resources

  • Matchup: Central vs. Atlantic
  • Date: Thursday, December 2, 2021
  • Venue: Madison Square Garden
  • Location: New York, New York
  • TV-Time: NBATV - 7:30 p.m. ET

Chicago Bulls Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 14-8
  • ATS: 14-8
  • O/U: 10-12

After finishing 11th in the East with a record of 31-41 last year, Chicago went out and made some aggressive offseason acquisitions – resulting in a fully rejuvenated Bulls squad, as Zach Lavine now finds himself partnered up with a stout supporting cast that includes Lonzo Ball, DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Alex Caruso and a few other talented counterparts.

The new-look Bulls looked great against some weaker opponents to start the year, as Chicago posted lopsided victories over the Pistons, Pelicans, Raptors, and Celtics out of the gate.

Chicago has encountered far more difficult opponents since starting 6-1 though, highlighted by tough losses to the Sixers (2), Warriors, Blazers, and Heat across the month of November – but the Bulls seemingly still stand well above middle-tier teams like the Knicks, especially while playing with a rest advantage.

New York Knicks Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

  • SU: 11-10
  • ATS: 10-11
  • O/U: 8-13

New York’s overwhelming success might have come as the league’s biggest surprise last season, as the Knicks finished fourth in the East at a sturdy tally of 41-31 – earning much-needed home-court advantage against Atlanta in the opening round of the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the Knicks’ valiant regular-season effort didn’t blossom into anything noteworthy, as New York appeared completely outmatched by the Hawks at both ends of the floor in the first round – resulting in a quick five-game series victory for Atlanta.

The Knicks’ inconsistency makes them nearly impossible to evaluate on a day-to-day basis, yet an intriguing home underdog play – but I still don’t trust them against sound offensive squads like the Bulls.


The point total has gone UNDER in five straight games played between the Bulls and the Knicks. (AP)

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Head-to-Head

The Bulls and Knicks already squared off twice during the early months of the season – resulting in a 1-1 series split in Chicago, with both matchups staying under the total set for Thursday’s affair at an average of 209.5 PPG.

Key Players to Watch

  • CHI: Zach Lavine - SG (25.3 PPG, 5.2 REB, 3.7 AST)
  • CHI: DeMar DeRozan - SF (25.9 PPG, 5.2 REB, 4.2 AST)
  • NYK: Julius Randle - PF (19.4 PPG, 10.1 REB, 5.1 AST)
  • NYK: RJ Barrett - SG (14 PPG, 5.9 REB, 2.1 AST)

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Betting Conclusion

After dropping a heartbreaker in Brooklyn on Tuesday (L, 112-110), the Knicks will head back to Madison Square Garden on Thursday night as narrow home underdogs against the visiting Bulls – marking the fourth straight game New York has been an underdog in.

I’ll lay the points with Chicago here, as neither of these teams have played great basketball lately – but the Bulls still strike me as the far more talented squad in Thursday’s matchup.

Chicago Bulls vs. New York Knicks Betting Trends

  • The point total has gone UNDER in five straight meetings.
  • New York has covered the spread in three of its last four games when facing Chicago.
  • New York has won four straight games after losing the game prior.