The New York Knicks will open the second half of their season with high hopes as they face the Chicago Bulls on February 20, 2025, at Madison Square Garden. This matchup, set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET, sees the Knicks fresh off a thrilling overtime win over the Atlanta Hawks, during which they scored 149 points, and the Bulls coming off their fourth consecutive loss, which saw them beaten 128-110 by the Detroit Pistons.
Currently, the Knicks hold a solid record of 36 wins and 18 losses, positioning them second in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. On the other hand, the Bulls struggle at 22 wins and 33 losses, placing fifth in the Central Division. Chicago has found itself with 12 road wins and 14 losses, compared to New York’s impressive 19 wins at home.
Recent player news complicates matters for both teams. For the Knicks, Josh Hart is officially out due to knee discomfort, impacting their depth and scoring potential. Meanwhile, the Bulls are contending with injuries of their own, as Patrick Williams is out with knee issues, and OG Anunoby is considered questionable.
Interestingly, Chicago has bested New York twice this season, pulling off narrow victories of 124-123 back in November and 139-126 just last month—in games where Zach LaVine shone. Despite these earlier successes, the Bulls now face different circumstances with chaos swirling around the roster.
The betting lines reflect the Knicks’ strong performance; they are 11.5-point favorites, according to the latest from SportsLine. For those considering betting on this game, the money line shows Chicago at +479 and New York at -658. Interestingly, the over/under for total points scored stands at 244, indicating expectations for another high-scoring affair.
Key players will be pivotal for both teams. Star guard Jalen Brunson has been on fire, averaging 26.1 points and 7.5 assists per game, and recently posted 36 points with eight assists against Atlanta. Center Karl-Anthony Towns is also contributing significantly, averaging 24.7 points and 13.4 rebounds. He showcased his talent with 44 points last game. Their performances will be indispensable for the Knicks if they wish to shake off the embarrassment against the Bulls.
Conversely, the Bulls will rely on veteran center Nikola Vucevic, who has been averaging close to a double-double with 19.1 points and 10.3 rebounds. Despite the team’s struggles, he continues to perform at the highest level, having posted 21 points and 14 rebounds against the Pistons. Coby White, another key scorer for Chicago, has recently stepped up his game, scoring 20 or more points in five of the past seven games.
For basketball fans eager to tune in, the game will be available across several platforms: on the MSG channel and streaming through services like Fubo TV. For those unfamiliar, Fubo TV is well-regarded for covering extensive live sports, including the NBA.
Betting enthusiasts might find the trends worth considering; the Bulls are 4-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games against the Knicks. While New York campaigns to improve its 3-14 record over the past 17 games played this February, they certainly appear as the stronger team going forward.
New York aims to ride its home momentum and the exceptional performances of its players to break out of their February slump as they take on the Bulls. With their offense averaging 124.5 points over the last ten games, they certainly have the capability to push the pace and capitalize against the beleaguered defensive efforts of Chicago, who allow 120.7 points per game.
This matchup shapes up as one to watch, not only because of the contrasting current forms of the teams but also due to the potential for exciting, fast-paced basketball. All eyes will be on Madison Square Garden as fans seek to see if the Knicks can turn the tables after two earlier defeats this season or if the Bulls will continue their surprising success against New York.
With both teams eager to secure the win and shake off their respective troubles, fans are guaranteed an exciting evening of basketball.