StatFox.com - Sports Handicapping Community

The Leader In Sports Handicapping

Bulls favored big over hapless Knicks Thursday
By: Zach Cohen - StatFox
Published: 12/18/2014  at  5:22:00 AM
  Print This Article    

NEW YORK KNICKS (5-22)

at CHICAGO BULLS (15-9)

Tip-off: Thursday, 8:05 p.m. ET
Line: Chicago -11, Total: 193.5

The Knicks look to avoid a three-game losing streak when they visit the Bulls on Thursday.

New York was awful in a 107-87 loss as 7.5-point favorites at home against the Mavericks on Tuesday. The team has now lost 12 of its past 13 games as well. The Bulls, meanwhile, lost 93-86 as 2.5-point road underdogs in Atlanta on Monday. They had won-and-covered in three straight before that defeat. The Knicks and Bulls played in New York early in the season on Oct. 29 and Chicago won that game 104-80 as a 4.5-point road favorite. The Bulls have dominated this series in recent years, going 7-2 SU (6-3 ATS) versus New York over the past three seasons. They have also won six straight games, and nine out of the past 10 SU when hosting the Knicks. They have, however, covered in just six of those 10 meetings. Since 1996, New York is 28-9 ATS when revenging a home blowout loss of 20+ points versus an opponent. The club is also up against a Bulls team that is 2-12 ATS after playing a road game this season. Chicago is, however, 9-3 ATS after a game giving up five or less offensive rebounds over the past three seasons. C Joakim Noah (ankle) and PF Taj Gibson (ankle) are both probable for the Bulls in this game, while SG Iman Shumpert (shoulder), SG J.R. Smith (heel) and PF Amar'e Stoudemire (rest) are all expected to sit out Thursday's contest.

Can the Bulls cover the hefty spread on Thursday night? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. While StatFox Forecaster has a stellar 60% ATS record (70-47-1) in featured games this season, the five experts have also caught fire with a collective 66% ATS mark (46-24-2) in NBA Best Bets since Nov. 29. StatFox Brian is 13-3 ATS during this timeframe to give him a 61% ATS record (23-15) in NBA Best Bets this season, while StatFox Gary is 10-3 ATS since Nov. 29 to improve to 61% ATS (22-14) in NBA Best Bets this season. Also during this surge, StatFox Dave is 11-4-1 ATS.

The Knicks were embarrassed at home on Tuesday night and will now face Chicago without three key players in PF Amar'e Stoudemire, SG J.R. Smith (foot) and SG Iman Shumpert (shoulder). With both of those shooting guards out, PG Tim Hardaway Jr. (10.1 PPG) is being given big minutes, and the second-year guard is averaging 15.2 PPG over the past five contests. He has, however, really struggled with his shot (37% FG in those games) and will need to find his stroke in order to keep getting consistent minutes when Smith and Shumpert return. SF Carmelo Anthony (23.4 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.3 APG), meanwhile, has been forced to shoulder even more of a load with the Knicks depleted. Anthony is averaging 30.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG and 4.0 APG over the past two contests and is the Knicks’ only chance of picking up a victory in Chicago on Thursday. Anthony will need to work for every basket he gets against a defensively tough Bulls team. PG Jose Calderon (8.2 PPG, 4.1 APG) has been a major disappointment for the Knicks, and is averaging just 7.0 PPG and 4.6 APG in 33.2 MPG over the past five contests. He’ll need to start knocking down jumpers, or he’s pretty much useless for the team.

The Bulls are coming off of a loss to the Hawks, but the team has played very well recently. PG Derrick Rose (16.8 PPG, 5.1 APG) is seemingly healthy at this point, and has a great chance to do some damage against the Knicks. New York does not have any capable wing defenders with Iman Shumpert out, so Rose should be able to get to the basket at will in this game. Another player who could be in for a huge game is PF Pau Gasol (18.7 PPG, 11.9 RPG, 1.9 BPG). He has been a monster for the Bulls this season and will now face a Knicks team that also struggles to defend the paint. The big man has failed to score 20 points in a game the past four times the Bulls have played, but he is a good bet to reach that number in Thursday’s game. When he faced New York in October, Gasol produced 21 points and 11 boards. C Joakim Noah (8.9 PPG, 9.6 RPG, 4.5 APG, 1.5 BPG) is seemingly going to return for Chicago in this one. The Bulls’ defensive anchor has missed four straight games and should bring a ton of energy to this team. His presence will make it extremely tough for Carmelo Anthony to score on second chances in this game. SG Jimmy Butler (20.9 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 3.3 APG) continues to play at an All-Star level for Chicago. Butler had 22 points and nine rebounds in a loss to Atlanta last game. He is the team’s most consistent source of offense this season, and is just beginning to reach his potential in this league. He will make life on Carmelo Anthony difficult when he is given the chance to guard him.


FoxSheets.com
The FoxSheets - the most advanced sports handicapping information available on the internet.
Sign up for professional sports betting information including fantastic trends, and Free FoxSheets.
E-mail: