NBA Game Preview: Chicago Bulls (29-47) vs. New York Knicks (49-28)

0
22

Tip‑off is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET
Venue:
Madison Square Garden — New York, NY
Broadcast: NBA TV

Recent Team Form

Chicago Bulls — Last 10 Games

2–8 record

Opponents averaging 129.1 PPG against them

Coming off a 145–126 loss to Indiana

Shot 48.5% FG, 33.3% from 3

Allowed Indiana to shoot 56.9% FG and hit 20 threes

New York Knicks — Last 10 Games

7–3 record

Averaging 113.3 PPG, allowing 108.5 PPG

Most recent win: vs. Memphis

OG Anunoby: 25 pts, 13 reb

Mikal Bridges: 24 pts

Karl‑Anthony Towns: 11 ast

Injury Report

Chicago Bulls

Anfernee Simons — day‑to‑day (wrist)

Jalen Smith — out for season (calf)

Noa Essengue — out for season (shoulder)

Nick Richards — day‑to‑day (elbow)

Zach Collins — out for season (toe)

Josh Giddey — day‑to‑day (hamstring)

New York Knicks

Jalen Brunson — day‑to‑day (ankle)

Mitchell Robinson — day‑to‑day (ankle)

Miles McBride — day‑to‑day (pelvis)

Key Player Matchups

Matas Buzelis (CHI) vs. OG Anunoby (NYK)

Buzelis: 16.4 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 BPG

Anunoby: Coming off a 25‑point, 13‑rebound performance

This matchup pits Chicago’s top rebounder against New York’s elite two‑way wing.

Collin Sexton (CHI) vs. Jalen Brunson (NYK)

Sexton: 1.8 made threes per game over last 10

Brunson: 20.1 PPG over last 10 (day‑to‑day but expected to play)

If Brunson is active, New York has a clear backcourt advantage.

Karl‑Anthony Towns (NYK) vs. Bulls Frontcourt

Towns: 20.1 PPG, 11.9 RPG

Bulls missing multiple bigs (Smith, Essengue, Collins)

Huge mismatch in favor of New York.

Series History

This is the fourth meeting of the season.

Knicks won the most recent matchup 105–99 on Feb. 23.

Betting Trends

Chicago Bulls

5‑game losing streak entering this matchup

36–40 ATS this season

Defense allowing 129.1 PPG over last 10 games

New York Knicks

39–39 ATS this season

27–9 at home (elite home team)

Shooting 48.9% FG over last 10 games

Game Odds

Chicago Bulls                     237.5

New York Knicks               – 15.5

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 2, 2026

Previous articleNBA Game Preview: Atlanta Hawks (44-33) vs. Brooklyn Nets (18-58)
Next articleNBA Game Preview: Utah Jazz (21-56) vs. Houston Rockets (47-29)
NBA Editor
Profile: A dedicated NBA analyst with a comprehensive understanding of the league’s tactical evolution, player development pipelines, and organizational dynamics. This columnist delivers in‑depth coverage that blends film study, advanced metrics, and historical context to explain how teams and stars shape the modern game. Background: With extensive experience covering professional basketball, the columnist has contributed to national sports outlets, digital platforms, and radio segments focused on roster construction, coaching philosophy, and league‑wide trends. A background in sports journalism and analytics supports a disciplined approach to evaluating performance, interpreting data, and breaking down the nuances of an 82‑game season. Signature Coverage Areas: Game previews and matchup analysis Film‑based breakdowns of offensive and defensive schemes Player evaluation, draft analysis, and trade‑deadline movement Team‑building strategy, salary‑cap dynamics, and front‑office trends Historical context and postseason features Style & Approach: The writing emphasizes clarity, accuracy, and accessibility — translating complex schemes and statistical models into insights that resonate with both casual fans and analytically driven readers. Each column reflects a commitment to balanced reporting, thoughtful evaluation, and a deep appreciation for the NBA’s fast‑moving, star‑driven landscape.