Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks Predictions, NBA Expert Picks 2/29/2020

Game: Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks

Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020

Location: Madison Square Garden in New York City, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: New York -3

Total/Over-Under: 226

Madison Square Garden is the venue where Julius Randle and the New York Knicks (17-42, 5th in the Atlantic Division) will take on the Chicago Bulls (20-39, 3rd in the Central Division) on Saturday. The odds on this matchup have New York as 3 point favorites. The O/U opens at 226.

The Bulls are covering the spread 44.8% of the time, having gone 26-32-1 ATS. New York is covering 51.7% of the time, going 30-28-1 against the spread.

Key Chicago Bulls Injuries

11/08/19 SF Otto Porter Jr. Foot is out indefinitely
02/27/20 F Wendell Carter Jr. Ankle is questionable Saturday vs New York
02/27/20 SG Denzel Valentine Hamstring is questionable Saturday vs New York
02/27/20 SG Coby White Back is questionable Saturday vs New York
02/27/20 PF Luke Kornet Ankle is out 6-8 weeks
02/21/20 SF Chandler Hutchison Shoulder is out indefinitely
02/04/20 PG Kris Dunn Knee is out indefinitely
01/24/20 PF Lauri Markkanen Pelvis is out indefinitely

Key New York Knicks Injuries

02/28/20 PG Dennis Smith Jr. Head left last game, is questionable Saturday vs Chicago
02/27/20 PF Taj Gibson Back is questionable Saturday vs Chicago
02/27/20 PG Frank Ntilikina Groin is questionable Saturday vs Chicago

Player Spotlight

Coby White comes into this contest averaging 12.3 points per game while playing 24.9 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.5 rebounds per game and dishes out 2.4 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 39% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 78%. Zach Lavine averages 25.5 points per game in 34.7 minutes per contest this season. He averages 4.2 assists per contest and 4.8 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45% for the year while his free throw percentage is 81%.

Player Spotlight

Julius Randle averages 19.2 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 9.6 rebounds per game and has 3.2 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 71%. Elfrid Payton averages 9.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 27.7 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.7 rebounds per contest and 7.1 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 43% and his free throw percentage is 55%.

Useful Team Statistics

Chicago averages 106.7 points per contest this season, which ranks them 25th in the NBA. Their average scoring margin is -3.1 and their shooting percentage is 45% as a team, which has them ranked 24th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 22nd in the league. They average 42.1 rebounds per game and 23.1 assists per game, which ranks them 30th and 23rd in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 4th with 15.7 per game. The Bulls allow 109.8 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 12th in the league. They also allow a 48% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 24th and 15th in those defensive categories. Opponents average 45.6 rebounds a game which ranks 18th and they give up 25.4 assists per contest, which puts them in 24th place in the league. They force 18.1 turnovers per game which ranks them 30th in the league.

Useful Team Statistics

New York is 28th in the league with 104.7 points per game this year. They are 26th in the league in shooting at 44%, while their average scoring margin is -7.1. They shoot 34% from 3-point range, which is good for 27th in the NBA. They are 7th in the league in rebounding with 46.3 boards per game, and 28th in assists per contest with 21.7. The Knicks are 21st in turnovers per game with 14.3. The Knicks surrender 111.8 points per contest, which ranks them 19th in the NBA. Their defense allows a 47% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 18th and 29th in those defensive statistics. They rank 14th with 24.3 assists allowed per contest and 13th with 44.9 rebounds surrendered per game. The Knicks are 8th in the NBA in forcing turnovers with 13.9 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Bulls are 26th in the NBA in offensive rating with 106.4, and their defensive rating of 109.5 is ranked 14th. In terms of pace they are 16th in the league with 99.8 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 52% is 24th. As a team they are 26th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 55% and they shoot 3-pointers on 40% of their shots, ranking 10th in the league. Chicago is 3rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 13.9 times per 100 possessions while forcing 16.1 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 5th in the league.

Advanced Statistics

New York is 20th in the NBA in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.5 times per 100 possessions while forcing 12.5 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 54%, which is 6th in the league. The Knicks are 28th in the NBA in offensive rating with 105.5, and their defensive rating of 112.6 is ranked 23rd. In terms of pace they are 22nd in the league with 98.6 possessions per 48 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 50% is 28th. As a team they are 30th in the NBA in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 28th in the league.

Who will win tonight's Bulls/Knicks NBA game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take Chicago +3

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