Chicago Bulls vs New York Knicks

The Chicago Bulls since the Zack Lavine injury have played 7 games in total. These are their first half outcomes in those games

Tie game vs Memphis

Down 2 vs Cleveland

Down 6 vs Boston

Down 17 vs Cleveland

Up 14 vs Charlotte

Down 20 vs Miami

Down 1 vs Miami

-4.6 scoring differential. 

During this span they have won four games. In games following the 3 wins in which we can quantify, their first half outcomes are:

Down 6 vs Boston

Down 15 vs Cleveland

Down 20 vs Miami

-13.7 scoring differential.

That brings us into this game against the Knicks following a win at Miami. The Knicks are one of the better first half teams at home winning first halves there by an average of 2.7 points per game. The Knicks are 40-20-2 ATS in the first half overall and 20-12 ATS at home, making them the best first half team in the NBA. The Bulls are middle of the pack, but most of that was done with Lavine. They aren't the same team without him, obviously.

For the Knicks, there's no shame in losing the the Suns who are the superior team, but games like this really show what you're made of. How are you going to respond to that game. Will you be disciplined enough to get up for a game vs a team you're better than, following a loss vs better team? This is a real character test for the Knicks today and this line is short. Could be a trap but I see value in them here.

The Play: Knicks -2 1h