The keys to Chicago Bulls’ road game vs. New York Knicks

DeMar DeRozan and the Bulls will try to win their third straight game when they visit the Knicks.

© Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Bulls (13-18) visit the New York Knicks (18-14) tonight. The Bulls are coming off a 110-108 road win against the Hawks on Wednesday. DeMar DeRozan led the Bulls with 28 points, six rebounds, and five assists, Zach LaVine had 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists, and Nikola Vucevic added 20 points and seven rebounds in the win.

Lonzo Ball is still out with a left knee injury as the Bulls look to win their third straight game. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) and Derrick Jones Jr. (left ankle sprain) are also out for this game. Alex Caruso (concussion) is doubtful and Goran Dragic (left ankle soreness) is probable.

Chicago Bulls (13-18) vs. New York Knicks (18-14)

Friday, December 23 – 07:30 PM ET at Madison Square Garden

Chicago Bulls

• Points Per Game: 113.1 (16th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 114.5 (18th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 32.8 (20th of 30)
• Pace: 100.3 (10th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 111.7 (22nd of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 113 (13th of 30)
• Net Rating: -1.3 (21st of 30)

New York Knicks

• Points Per Game: 114.4 (13th of 30)
• Opponent Points Per Game: 111.7 (11th of 30)
• Bench Points Per Game: 33.6 (15th of 30)
• Pace: 98.8 (19th of 30)
• Offensive Rating: 114.3 (9th of 30)
• Defensive Rating: 111.5 (8th of 30)
• Net Rating: +2.8 (8th of 30)

Contain Jalen Brunson

Jalen Brunson was the difference-maker in the December 14 and December 16 games against the Bulls at the United Center. Brunson finished with 30 points (11-of-21 from the field), seven assists, and two rebounds in the 128-120 overtime win on December 14. He scored seven points in overtime, including a huge three-pointer with under 30 seconds to play.

Then, he was phenomenal in the 114-91 win on December 16th too, scoring 22 points with six assists on 7-of-13 shooting from the field and 6-of-9 from beyond the arc. He also recorded three steals and grabbed two rebounds.

“He wants to win. It’s where his joy comes from. It’s the winning. If he scored two points and we won, he’d be thrilled,” Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau said after the December 14 game. “That’s what I love about him. And he loves to win. He loves when his teammates do well. I think it’s been great for our team. I think it’s the best type of leadership that you can have.”

Brunson has been an offensive catalyst this season, averaging 20.4 points and 6.3 assists in 32.2 minutes over 32 games. The Bulls won’t beat the Knicks on Friday unless they contain him.

Three-point defense and the possession battle

The Knicks entered the December 14 game last in the league from three-point range (31.9 percent), but they shot well above their baseline in the two games against the Bulls. They went 18-of-34 (52.9 percent) from beyond the arc on December 14 and 17-of-44 (38.6 percent) on December 16.

The Bulls were decent from the field in the two games; they made 54.8 percent of their shots on December 14 and 46.8 percent on December 16. They lost Friday’s game because the Knicks dominated the possession battle, grabbing 15 offensive rebounds that generated 14 second-chance points.

The Knicks also forced 20 turnovers, which led to 24 points. New York attempted 92 field goals, while Chicago shot the ball 77 times.

Noteworthy

• The Knicks won the last meeting, 114-91 on December 16. LaVine led the Bulls with 17 points.

• New York beat Chicago three of the last four times.

• The Bulls are 3-7 in the last 10 matchups against the Knicks.

• Bulls’ projected lineup: Vucevic, Williams, DeRozan, LaVine, Dosunmu

• Knicks’ projected lineup: Robinson, Randle, Barrett, Quickley, Brunson

• Injury Report: Lonzo Ball is out for the Bulls with a left knee injury. Javonte Green (right knee soreness) and Derrick Jones Jr. (left ankle sprain) are also out. Alex Caruso (concussion) is doubtful and Goran Dragic (left ankle soreness) is probable

• Quentin Grimes (right ankle sprain) is day-to-day for the Knicks