New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls Preview: How, Who to Watch in Meaningful Finale

The New York Knicks wrap up their regular season against the Chicago Bulls with plenty to play for.

The New York Knicks might have to get by with a little help from their friends, but they have a prime opportunity to handle business on Sunday afternoon.

Entering the final day of NBA regular season action, the Knicks still have a shot at the Eastern Conference's second seed: they'll need a Milwaukee Bucks loss to Orlando but the Knicks can officially wrap up the third spot with a win over the Chicago Bulls on Sunday afternoon at Madison Square Garden. In any event, New York is destined to hold its highest playoff seed since 2013, when it took home the runner-up post.

The Knicks are the only team currently stationed in the East's top six working with a four-game winning streak as the postseason looms. Friday saw them clinch homecourt in the first round with a comeback victory over the Brooklyn Nets, a 111-107 triumph that saw Jalen Brunson score 30 points.

Things might be trending in the Knicks' favor considering the status of Sunday's opponent: ninth-ranked Chicago is locked into the ninth seed, as they're destined for a Play-In date with No. 10 Atlanta no matter what happens on a busy Sunday in the Association. The Bulls thus have six men listed as out for Sunday's game, including Andre Drummond and lasting absences Lonzo Ball and Zach LaVine. The Knicks are looking to win three games against the Bulls for the first time since 2016-17, having previously prevailed in two of three get-togethers earlier this season.

What: Chicago Bulls (39-42) @ New York Knicks (49-32)

Where: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

When/Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, MSG/ESPN

Who's Favored: NYK -15.5

Keep An Eye On: Bojan Bogdanovic

Bogdanovic is slowly evolving into the difference-maker the Knicks thought they were getting when they brought him in at the trade deadline: on Thursday, he united with Jalen Brunson and OG Anunoby to embark on an insurmountable secon quarter run that paved the way to a one-sided win in Boston. Less than 24 hours later, Bogdanovic's second-quarter spurt set the tone for a Knicks comeback over Brooklyn after they fell behind by 16 to the Nets. If Bogdanovic's time is truly perfect, the Knicks could have a fully armed, operational ... and, most importantly, undeniable ... championship contender on their hands.

Bull to Watch: Torrey Craig

Chicago has nothing to play for and several of their headliners will watch this one from the safety of the bench. Perhaps the one meager headline worth keeping an eye on (other than how they can avoid injuries as they prepare the tournament of mediocrity with the Hawks) is how Craig, star of one of the NBA season's most notorious bloopers the last time the Knicks and Bulls got together, will recover from his failed self-backboard slam.

Apr 9, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine (8) defends New York Knicks

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

They Said It

“(Clinching the playoffs means) nothing. It’s nothing that ... we expected to do it at the beginning of the year. It’s cool. We’re going to the playoffs.”-Josh Hart on the Knicks' loftier goals (h/t Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News)

Prediction

The Knicks, once again, have everything to play for and they haven't been afraid to let other teams know about it. Facing a game that Chicago could take or leave, expect the Knicks to flex their muscles one last time, especially with potential second-seed honors lingering on the line. They'll need some help, but the Knicks have proven time and time again that they're capable of living up to the end of their bargains.

Knicks 126, Bulls 100