NBA: Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks | 24 December, 8:30 AM (PST)

[Mary C]

Bulls vs Knicks 

The Chicago Bulls team will visit the New York Knicks on Friday in an effort to cap off a successful road trip after they suffered their first seatback in more than two weeks. DeMar DeRozan scored 28 points; Zach LaVine scored 22 points, and Nikola Vucevic scored 20 points as Chicago won its second consecutive game of a four-game road trip on Wednesday on Atlanta, 110-108. Ayo Dosunmu finished off a nine-point performance off the bench with the game-winning shot with seconds remaining to the clock. After winning on Wednesday, Dosunmu stated, according to the Chicago Tribune, "Two in a row, that's how you build. We are aware of our potential and capabilities; therefore, all that is left is for us to take action." 

With a victory Friday in New York, the Bulls can win three straight games for the first time this season after winning 113-103 on Tuesday in Miami before Wednesday’s buzzer-beater. Chicago has won back-to-back games despite a turbulent week for the team. According to a story in the Athletic, there may be tension in the Bulls’ locker room as a result of Chicago’s poor start to the season, which has left them five games under .500. On Tuesday, DeRozan batted off the claims that he and LaVine were at odds. After the victory in Miami, DeRozan told reports, “To give any type of confrontation is just a true sign of a competitor. Frustration sets in when you want to win, and things aren’t going your way”.  

Guard Lonzo Ball told reporters shortly after the piece become public that he “can’t give you a specific timeline”, for his recovery formed a knee injury sustained in January. Chicago is looking for its first three-game winning streak of the season while New York is looking to start a new streak after its run of eight straight victories came to an end last Wednesday with a defeat to Toronto 113-106. Against the Raptors, RJ Barrett and Julius Randle each scored 30 points, but Randle’s two missed shots proved crucial in the outcome. With 45 seconds left, Randle mishandled the balls as he went up for a shot that would have cut the New York deficit to two points. 

Pascal Siakam of Toronto scored 52 points against the Knicks. New York plays a team that lost to them twice during the 8-game winning streak as it attempts to recuperate. On December 14, the Knicks triumphed 128-120 in overtime thanks to Randle’s 31 points and Jalen Brunson’s. One game later, New York easily defeated the Bulls, 114-91, with the help of 27 points from Barrett, 22 points apiece from Brunson and Quentin Grimes and 19 points from Randle.