Knicks vs. Bulls: Key Factors Ahead of This Eastern Conference Showdown

The New York Knicks head into a highly anticipated matchup against the Chicago Bulls on February 20th, at Madison Square Garden. Fresh off a thrilling 149-148 overtime victory against the Atlanta Hawks, the Knicks will look to carry that momentum into a crucial battle against a familiar Eastern Conference rival.

As the Knicks vs. Bulls rivalry intensifies, New York seeks redemption after dropping their last two encounters against Chicago earlier this season. With playoff implications at stake, fans are eager for a competitive showdown. Many factors could determine the Knicks vs. Bulls score and the game’s outcome.

Towns’ top performance vs. White’s career-high

The New York Knicks and the Chicago Bulls enter this matchup with distinct strengths that could determine the outcome. The Knicks’ offensive resurgence has been led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, with Towns recently delivering a historic 44-point, 10-rebound performance against the Atlanta Hawks. Towns delivered a historic performance against the Hawks (149-148), marking consecutive 40-point games for the first time in his career. This places him among other Knicks legends with the achievement: Patrick Ewing, Carmelo Anthony, Bernard King, and Jalen Brunson.

Meanwhile, the Bulls have relied on perimeter shooting to dominate the Knicks in previous meetings. On January 4th, Chicago secured a 139-126 victory, largely due to their 20-for-37 performance from beyond the arc, with Coby White setting a career-high 9-of-11 three-pointers and Zach LaVine contributing 33 points.

Towns’ ability to sustain his recent offensive surge will put pressure on the Bulls’ defense, but equally crucial is whether New York can disrupt Chicago’s perimeter attack, particularly from LaVine, White, and Nikola Vučević.

Injuries play a deciding factor in the Knicks Vs. Bulls clash

The New York Knicks have had to adjust their lineup due to injuries, with OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson still recovering. Their absence has increased the reliance on Precious Achiuwa and Isaiah Hartenstein to protect the paint and contribute on both ends of the floor.

While the All-Star break may have provided valuable recovery time, the Knicks could struggle inside if Anunoby and Robinson remain out, allowing the Bulls to dominate the boards and exploit mismatches in the paint. On the other hand, the Chicago Bulls have maintained a relatively healthy squad, with minimal injuries recently, potentially giving them an advantage in terms of roster consistency and rotation flexibility as they prepare for their upcoming matchup.

Home Court Advantage: Can the Knicks Defend MSG?

Madison Square Garden (MSG) has been a stronghold for the New York Knicks during the 2024-2025 NBA season. With an impressive home record this season, the Knicks have consistently leveraged their home-court advantage to secure pivotal wins. The fervent support from the MSG crowd often elevates the team’s performance, creating a challenging atmosphere for visiting opponents. This energy will be crucial as the Knicks prepare to host the Chicago Bulls this week.

However, it’s noteworthy that the Bulls have previously triumphed at MSG this season. On November 13, 2024, Chicago only just edged out New York with a 124-123 victory, showcasing their resilience in hostile environments. In the regular season, the Bulls have won plenty of away games which the Knicks will be wary of.

Knicks vs. Bulls predictions: Who will come out on top?

Given recent performances, this game is shaping up to be another tightly contested battle.

As of 17th February, the odds for the Knicks vs. Bulls game from BetMGM are:

Implied final score: NY 129, CHI 115.5

For fans planning to place a wager on the game, whether they’re backing the Knicks or the Bulls, a valid BetMGM promo code for February gives new customers up to $1,500 in bonus bets if their first wager loses (excluding NY and NV).

New York entered the All-Star break with their best 54-game record since 1996-97. As of 17th February, the Knicks are currently 3rd in the standings for the Eastern Conference with 36 wins and 18 losses, while the Bulls are in 10th position (22 wins – 33 losses). Losing their previous 4 games, the Chicago team will be eager to get a win this week.