Keys to Chicago Bulls’ home game vs. New York Knicks

Coming off a heartbreaking 123-122 overtime road loss against the Hawks on Sunday, the Chicago Bulls (11-15) look to avoid their second straight loss as they host the sixth-seeded New York Knicks (14-13).

New York Knicks (14-13) vs. Chicago Bulls (11-15)

Wednesday, December 14 – 07:30 PM ET at United Center

New York Knicks

Points Per Game: 113.8 (13th of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 112.9 (14th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 35.6 (11th of 30)
Pace: 99.6 (13th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 113 (14th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 112.1 (9th of 30)
Net Rating: +0.9 (14th of 30)

Chicago Bulls

Points Per Game: 113. (14h of 30)
Opponent Points Per Game: 113.3 (16th of 30)
Bench Points Per Game: 33.5 (16th of 30)
Pace: 100.9 (7th of 30)
Offensive Rating: 111.4 (20th of 30)
Defensive Rating: 111.3 (8th of 30)
Net Rating: -0.1 (17th of 30)

Contain Randle

Julius Randle is playing at a high level, benefitting greatly from the Knicks' off-season addition, Jalen Brunson. Randle is averaging 22.3 points—his second-highest scoring output since his All-Star season in 2020-21, when the then-26-year-old averaged 24.1 points.

Randle scored 34 and 33 points in the wins against the Hawks and Hornets, respectively, and had 27 points in the 112-99 home win against the Kings on Sunday when he was ejected in the third quarter.

How Randle plays on Wednesday will determine the outcome of this game. That's why the Bulls must prioritize containing the 6-8 forward if they want to secure a win in their first of three season matchups against New York.

Big scoring nights from the Big Three

DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic better show up against the Knicks.

The Bulls can beat any team in the league when their Big Three delivers on the offensive end. However, Billy Donovan and Co. are yet to get a consistent scoring output from them.

Everyone knows Chicago will go as far as DeRozan, LaVine, and Vucevic take them. That's why the rest of the roster encouraged the three to take their game to the next level and right the ship.

“That’s been a conversation of late,” DeRozan shared after the Bulls beat the Wizards 115-111 on December 7. “Our teammates have been encouraging us to do that; they’ve kind of been on us, just telling us it’s on us three to carry this thing, and they’re going to be behind us. Tonight we tried to be assertive and prove that point, and we played well."

The three combined for 77 points in a win against Washington. If they can do the same thing tonight, the Bulls have a good chance to secure their 12th win on the season.

Noteworthy

The Knicks won the last meeting, 109-104, on March 28. DeRozan led the Bulls with 37 points.

New York beat Chicago three of the last five times.

The Knicks are 6-4 in the last 10 matchups against the Bulls.

Knicks’ projected lineup: Robinson, Randle, Grimes, Barrett, Brunson

Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, DeRozan, LaVine, Caruso

Trevor Keels (left groin strain) and Ryan Arcidiacono (left ankle) are out, and Jalen Brunson (right ankle) is listed as questionable

Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a left knee injury. Alex Caruso (tailbone contusion) is probable, and Ayo Dosunmu (abdomen) is listed as questionable for the Bulls.