The Chicago Bulls will host a showdown against the New York Knicks at the United Center. Action begins at 8:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Mar. 23 and can be seen on ESP.
The Bulls enter this game hoping for similar success after topping the Kings 109-102 on Monday. Taj Gibson was the team’s leading scorer with 18 points on 7-for-13 shooting. The Knicks, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 88-80 loss against that same Kings squad on Sunday. New York still lost despite the best efforts of Robin Lopez, who recorded his 12th double-double of the season with 23 points and 20 rebounds.
Doug McDermott has taken his game to another level over the last five games for the Bulls. During that stretch, he has averaged 19.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists, and 3.4 three-pointers.
The Bulls defense could make it difficult on New York’s shooters. They rank third in the NBA in forcing misses (opponents’ effective field goal percentage of 47.9%), while the New York offense is 28th with a mark of 48.1%.
Both teams have won a game in the season series. The Bulls had the upper hand in the most recent game, a blowout 108-81 win. Nikola Mirotic had a standout performance in the victory, putting up 17 points, five rebounds, seven assists, two steals, two blocks, and four three-pointers.
Notes
When giving up fewer than 100 points, the New York Knicks have a 19-15 record. When scoring fewer than 100 points, the Chicago Bulls have a poor record of 11-19.
The New York Knicks have an abysmal 9-28 record in games where they have allowed at least 100 points. The Chicago Bulls are 25-14 when they hit the century mark.
The Knicks have an offensive rating of 102.8 (ranked 23rd), while the Bulls rank 13th for their defensive rating of 103.5.
The Chicago Bulls average a field goal percentage of 44.0% this season. The New York Knicks have an underachieving record of 8-28 when opponents have a FG% of 44.0% or greater.
On average, the Chicago Bulls attempt 20.0 three point field goals per game and the New York Knicks attempt 21.0 per game. In games where they attempt at least 25 threes, Chicago is 5-7, while New York has a losing record of 4-10.
Chicago has an assist to turnover ratio of 1.67 this season (ranked 11th), while New York ranks lower at 14th with an A/TO of 1.62.
Chicago ranks near the top of the NBA for rebounds at second (47.1 per game), while New York ranks 13th with 44.1 per game.
The New York Knicks rank 16th in offensive rebounding, while the Chicago Bulls rank second in defensive rebounding.
Chicago has forced an average turnover percentage of 11.3% this season. New York has a losing 15-29 record when its TOV% is 11.3% or higher.
