The Bulls came out of the gates running, but they’ll have their hands full against the New York Knicks. Chicago’s offense has overwhelmed their first four opponents, but they’ve shown a defensive vulnerability that the Knicks can exploit. Coming off of an impressive win, the Knicks’ vaunted defense and newfound offensive gameplan should give the Bulls their first loss of the season.
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Head-to-Head: New York Knicks vs Chicago Bulls
| New York Knicks |
Head-to-Head |
Chicago Bulls |
| Tom Thibodeau |
Head Coach |
Billy Donovan |
| 3-1 (3rd in East) |
Standing |
4-0 (1st in Central) |
| W-L-W-W |
Form |
W-W-W-W |
| 113.3 (5th of 30) |
Off Rtg |
108.0 (14th of 30) |
| 104.7 (11th of 30) |
Def Rtg |
97.9 (4th of 30) |
| 99.6 (23rd of 30) |
Pace |
99.5 (25th of 30) |
|
Leaders (Per Game)
|
| J. Randle (25.5) |
PPG |
Z. Lavine (25.5) |
| J. Randle (11.3) |
RPG |
N. Vucevic (11.5) |
| J. Randle (6.5) |
APG |
L. Ball (5.0) |
| E. Fournier (1.5) |
SPG |
A. Caruso (3.3) |
| J. Randle (1.8) |
BPG |
L. Ball (1.8) |
| M. Robinson (.833)/J. Randle (9.0) |
FG%/FGM |
A. Johnson (.750)/Z. Lavine (8.8) |
| D. Rose (.579)/E. Fournier (4.0) |
3P%/3PM |
A. Caruso (.667)/L. Ball (3.3) |
NYK: Keep Up the Defensive Intensity
The New York Knicks are a hard-nosed defensive team who are happy to play in the halfcourt. Against the Bulls, New York will need to show how well their defense can contain the perimeter threat.
In their last game against the Sixers, New York held their opponents to just 12 of 41 shooting from three-point range, while also holding Joel Embiid to a modest, for his standards, 23 points.
Chicago is a team that works from the outside-in, so containing the likes of Lavine, Ball, and Derozan is priority number one. This will be a true test for the Knicks backcourt, who face their most difficult matchups this season.
Knicks Key Player: (F) Julius Randle
While the Knicks want to slow down the game against the Bulls, they’ll still need All-Star Julius Randle to put in a good shift. He’s been effective through the Knicks’ hot start, but Randle needs to put more into the scoring column to beat the Bulls.
In his last game against the Sixers, Randle posted 16 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in 36 minutes of play. They ultimately kept the Sixers down, but Randle will need to help his team keep pace with Chicago’s high-powered offense.
The matchup is favorable for Randle, considering his opposition will be either Patrick Williams or Nikola Vucevic – the former being too small to guard him and the latter being too slow. Expect a big night from the Knicks All-Star.
CHI: A Full 48-Minute Effort
The Chicago Bulls have been a pleasant surprise to open the season. Not only are they loaded with talent, they’re more than willing to indulge in their scoring ability. However, in their last game, they almost failed due to a lack of focus.
In their last game against the Toronto Raptors, the Bulls held a 20-point lead in the third quarter. However, by the mid-point of the fourth, Chicago’s lead was shaven down to just two points.
When their shots aren’t going, the Bulls need something to lean on and it has to be their defense. While Demar Derozan bailed out the young Bulls in the fourth quarter, they won’t have the same room for error against an elite team like the Knicks.
Bulls Key Player: (G-F) Demar Derozan
The Chicago Bulls showed some weakness in their close victory over the Toronto Raptors on Monday, but luckily Demar Derozan was available to save the day. The veteran was quiet throughout the game but was massive when it counted most.
Derozan closed his last game with 26 points, six assists, and four rebounds on seven of 19 shooting from the field. However, in the fourth quarter, he scored 11 on three of five shooting while also going perfect from the line in five attempts.
The Bulls acquired Derozan to be their veteran leadership and closer, he’s filled both roles admirably through their first four games. Now against a Knicks team that projects to give them problems at every position, the Bulls will rely on Derozan even more as New York enforces a slower tempo.
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