Bulls-Knicks tipoff Christmas action

[Betfair]

Professional sports handicapper Jeff Mattingly previews an Eastern Conference matchup between the Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden

At the time of this writing, the following Match Odds/Moneyline were available: Chicago Bulls (2.3, +130) and New York Knicks (1.74, -135)

Chicago is looking to avenge a 120-112 defeat to the Knicks at the United Center on November 4 and think that having forward Carlos Boozer for the second meeting will be the difference. "It's a amazing that he's doing what he's doing," said coach Tom Thibodeau. "He's still working himself into shape. His legs aren't under him yet in his timing." Boozer missed the first meeting, but will not have center Joakim Noah available . The Bulls dropped the first two games with him back in the lineup, but have rattled off wins in nine of the last 10 games, allowing just 87.7 points per game despite Noah's absence with a thumb injury.

The Bulls are 18-9 on the season and are at the their best mark since the championship era ended for the franchise through 27 games. Chicago has been battling the injury bug for the entire season and still remains one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. "We're 14 deep," said Thibodeau. "We have great belief in our bench. When one guy goes down, or is in foul trouble, the next guy steps in and does the job." Whoever makes it on the court Saturday will need to do a better job of defending the perimeter, as the Knicks buried an impressive 16 of 24 shots from 3-point range in the first game of the season series.

New York has come back to Earth a bit after posting a 13-1 record from November 17-December 12 and ended a three-game losing streak with a 112-98 win over Oklahoma City Wednesday. "It was a tough week," said forward Amare Stoudemire. "We were fatigued, we were tired. Honestly we were." Stoudemire hasn't reached the 25-point mark in three contests, but led the team in its last victory with 23 points. The Knicks still stand at a solid 17-12 on the season, including an even 7-7 mark at Madison Square Garden. New York is enjoying a two-day break from a hectic schedule leading into this contest, but will travel to Florida and take on Miami and Orlando in the next two games following Christmas.

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