NBA · Fri, Apr 3 · 7:30 PM

Chicago Bulls at New York Knicks

O/U 237.5 · SPREAD New York Knicks -14.5 · Madison Square Garden

GARY'S PICK

NBAvs Bulls· -110

Madison Square Garden sets the stage for an Eastern Conference clash with major seeding implications for a New York squad looking to reclaim the number two spot. While a 14.5-point spread is a massive number in the NBA, this matchup features a New York team fighting for postseason positioning against a Chicago roster that has effectively entered a defensive freefall. The Bulls have allowed a staggering 137.4 points per game over their last five outings, surrendering 145 points to Indiana and 131 to Oklahoma City during this skid. Their frontcourt is currently decimated; with Nick Richards and Jalen Smith both sidelined, Chicago is forced into small-ball lineups that have no hope of containing the Knicks' physical interior. Even with Karl-Anthony Towns officially out tonight, the Knicks are perfectly constructed to exploit Chicago’s lack of size. New York leads the league in offensive rebound rate at 33.1%, and with Mitchell Robinson available to anchor the glass, the Knicks should generate a massive volume of second-chance opportunities. The return of Jalen Brunson (26.1 PPG) provides the necessary offensive engine to capitalize on a Bulls defense that allows a league-high 54.1 paint points per game. Chicago’s recent -14.0 net rating isn't just a statistical dip; it’s a reflection of a team dealing with locker room turmoil following the Jaden Ivey waiver and persistent rumors regarding Billy Donovan’s coaching future. The deciding factor for this specific spread is the overwhelming bench disparity. New York’s second unit, featuring Miles McBride and Landry Shamet, contributes over 32% of the team's scoring and maintains a high defensive floor. Conversely, Chicago’s bench has essentially evaporated, contributing a league-low 8.5% of their scoring recently. In a game where the Knicks are likely to build an early lead, their superior depth should prevent the kind of late-game scoring droughts that lead to backdoor covers. The Bulls have lost four of their last five games by 15 points or more, and facing a focused Knicks team at home is the worst possible spot for them to find a defensive backbone.

Even with Karl-Anthony Towns officially out tonight, the Knicks are perfectly constructed to exploit Chicago’s lack of size. New York leads the league in offensive rebound rate at 33.1%, and with Mitchell Robinson available to anchor the glass, the Knicks should generate a massive volume of second-chance opportunities. The return of Jalen Brunson (26.1 PPG) provides the necessary offensive engine to capitalize on a Bulls defense that allows a league-high 54.1 paint points per game. Chicago’s recent -14.0 net rating isn't just a statistical dip; it’s a reflection of a team dealing with locker room turmoil following the Jaden Ivey waiver and persistent rumors regarding Billy Donovan’s coaching future.

The deciding factor for this specific spread is the overwhelming bench disparity. New York’s second unit, featuring Miles McBride and Landry Shamet, contributes over 32% of the team's scoring and maintains a high defensive floor. Conversely, Chicago’s bench has essentially evaporated, contributing a league-low 8.5% of their scoring recently. In a game where the Knicks are likely to build an early lead, their superior depth should prevent the kind of late-game scoring droughts that lead to backdoor covers. The Bulls have lost four of their last five games by 15 points or more, and facing a focused Knicks team at home is the worst possible spot for them to find a defensive backbone.

The pick & result

Published pick: New York Knicks -14.5 -110
Published odds: -110
Result: Won
Final score: 96-136

Odds are the American price printed with this pick, not a current offer. Wins, losses and pushes remain on the public record; a missing grade is not a win.

The read

Injuries noted

Chicago Bulls: Zach Collins (Out); Nick Richards (Out); Anfernee Simons (Out); Jalen Smith (Out)

New York Knicks: Karl- Towns (Anthony)

About this analysis

Who made it: Gary AI, an AI sports-analysis product operated by Gary A.I. LLC. No human reviewer is claimed unless one is explicitly named.
Published data: Daily picks first stored April 3, 2026 at 12:18 PM ET.
Odds record: The pick receipt shows the price printed in the published ticket. The matchup market and line ladder provide separate market context. Stored sportsbook sources: fanduel, fanatics, draftkings, caesars, betrivers, ballybet, betparx, betmgm, rebet, betway.
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Props on this game

GARY'S PICK
JALEN BRUNSONPOINTS OVER 27.5
NBANew York Knicks· -111
LOST · ACTUAL 17
Jalen Brunson enters this matchup in a premier scoring environment. The Chicago Bulls' defense has effectively disintegrated late in the season, surrendering a staggering 137.4 points per game over their last five contests, including a 145-point concession to Indiana on April 1. With Karl-Anthony Towns officially ruled out, the Knicks lose their second-leading scorer and a massive chunk of their offensive volume. Brunson, who already maintains a 29.6% usage rate, will be required to carry the primary scoring load against a Bulls perimeter defense that lacks the depth to contain him. The Bulls also play at the league's third-fastest pace (103.0), which will generate a high volume of possessions and shot attempts for Brunson. Given he has cleared this mark in two of his last three games even with Towns active, the increased usage tonight makes this line look conservative.
Jalen Brunson
Points over 27.5
-111 · LOST · ACTUAL 17
New York Knicks
Jalen Brunson enters this matchup in a premier scoring environment. The Chicago Bulls' defense has effectively disintegrated late in the season, surrendering a staggering 137.4 points per game over their last five contests, including a 145-point concession to Indiana on April 1.
With Karl-Anthony Towns officially ruled out, the Knicks lose their second-leading scorer and a massive chunk of their offensive volume. Brunson, who already maintains a 29.6% usage rate, will be required to carry the primary scoring load against a Bulls perimeter defense that lacks the depth to contain him.
The Bulls also play at the league's third-fastest pace (103.0), which will generate a high volume of possessions and shot attempts for Brunson. Given he has cleared this mark in two of his last three games even with Towns active, the increased usage tonight makes this line look conservative.
GARY'S PICK
OG ANUNOBYREBOUNDS OVER 5.5
NBANew York Knicks· +116
✓ CASHED · ACTUAL 8
The absence of Karl-Anthony Towns creates a massive vacuum on the boards for New York, as Towns leads the team with nearly 12 rebounds per game. In the first game without Towns on April 1, OG Anunoby aggressively filled that void, hauling in a season-high 13 rebounds. Tonight he faces a Chicago frontcourt that is historically thin due to the season-long absence of Zach Collins and recent injuries to Nick Richards and Jalen Smith. The Bulls are forced to rely on Guerschon Yabusele (6'8") at center, giving the athletic and physical Anunoby a significant opportunity to clean up the glass. While Mitchell Robinson is active, he has only averaged 4.8 rebounds over his last five games, suggesting Anunoby will continue to be the primary beneficiary of Towns' missing production. At +116 odds, there is significant value on a line he doubled in his most recent outing.
OG Anunoby
Rebounds over 5.5
+116 · CASHED · ACTUAL 8
New York Knicks
The absence of Karl-Anthony Towns creates a massive vacuum on the boards for New York, as Towns leads the team with nearly 12 rebounds per game. In the first game without Towns on April 1, OG Anunoby aggressively filled that void, hauling in a season-high 13 rebounds.
Tonight he faces a Chicago frontcourt that is historically thin due to the season-long absence of Zach Collins and recent injuries to Nick Richards and Jalen Smith. The Bulls are forced to rely on Guerschon Yabusele (6'8") at center, giving the athletic and physical Anunoby a significant opportunity to clean up the glass.
While Mitchell Robinson is active, he has only averaged 4.8 rebounds over his last five games, suggesting Anunoby will continue to be the primary beneficiary of Towns' missing production. At +116 odds, there is significant value on a line he doubled in his most recent outing.

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