Game Preview: Knicks at Bulls, January 4, 2025 

01/04/2025 10:33 AM

Knicks strive for comeback against Bulls in second night of back-to-back.

Last night, the New York Knicks (24-11) played a game of playoff-intensity in Oklahoma City, ultimately surrendering a 12-point lead to a fourth quarter rally and falling to the Thunder, 117-107.

Less than 24-hours, after a jaunt to the Windy City, the Knicks will take the court again to face the Chicago Bulls (15-19).

In their previous matchup, on November 13, 2024, the Knicks lost a squeaker to the Bulls at Madison Square Garden, 124-123. Karl-Anthony Towns delivered a stellar performance for the home team, scoring a season-high 46 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, making history alongside Carmelo Anthony as the only Knick to score 45+ points, 10+ rebounds, and hit 5+ three-pointers in a game.

Despite a strong fourth-quarter comeback with a 17-0 run briefly putting them ahead, the Knicks fell short after the Bulls' Coby White was fouled on a three-point attempt and made all three free throws with just 3.2 seconds left. Zach LaVine led the Bulls with 31 points, while Jalen Brunson added 24 points for our heroes.

The Bulls have won five of their last ten, with wins against the Celtics and the Bucks. They are the league's top defensive-rebounding team, with center Nikola Vučević dominating the glass (20.3 PPG, 10.1 RPG, 44% 3P%). They pass the ball well, and starting point guard Josh Giddey dishes almost seven dimes per game.

As a team, the Bulls attempt a hefty amount of three-pointers—with starters White and LaVine each attempting around eight per game—and make about 37% of them. When the team's last played, Chi hit 14-of-36, or 39%, and New York hit 15-of-37, or 41%. LaVine leads the team with 22 points per game and hits 44% from yard . . . not bad. Rounding out the first five will be forward Patrick Williams (10.2 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 38% 3P%)

For the Knicks, Deuce McBride is a game-time decision (hamstring). Jalen Brunson is not on the injury report but has been dealing with calf soreness and, after all his exertion in last night's affair, don't be surprised if his minutes are limited tonight.

Prediction

ESPN.com favors the Bulls to win by 52%. Given the short turnaround, travel, and fatigue from last night's grinder, the Knicks will surely be disadvantaged. Although they don't have a great Net rating, the Bulls are capable of scoring flourishes and play at the league's second-fastest pace. That doesn't bode well for a Knicks team that just sweated the net equivalent of Lake Michigan last night. The Thunder loss broke a nine-game string of victories. It's reasonable to expect tonight to end in a second consecutive loss. Knicks -8.

Game Details

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2025
Time: 8:00 PM ET
Venue: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
TV: MSG, NBATV
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