Knicks at Bulls preview: New York tries to build on first win against struggling Chicago

The New York Knicks finally got a win on Tuesday, and on Wednesday night they get a chance to make it two in a row against one of the weakest teams in the league so far. New York (1-3) visits the Chicago Bulls (1-3) at United Center at 8 p.m. ET, less than 24 hours after beating Detroit 111-97 at the Garden.

The matchup looks favorable for New York on paper. Posting and Toasting, SB Nation's Knicks site, points out that Chicago has a league-worst net rating of minus-18.3. Two of the Bulls' three losses have come by more than 35 points, and they have allowed more than 130 points in three of their four games. The most recent was a 134-99 loss at Boston on Monday, according to CBS Sports. Rookie forward Caleb Wilson has been Chicago's one bright spot, averaging 18.5 points per game, though he has hit only 5 of 28 from three. Norman Powell is the only other Bull scoring more than 14 a night.

The Knicks have their own problems to sort out. Jalen Brunson leads the team at 22.8 points per game but is still struggling with his shot. Karl-Anthony Towns has been their most dependable player, averaging 22.5 points and 14 rebounds, but he keeps picking up avoidable fouls. Posting and Toasting also notes that Miles McBride's role keeps changing and that Andre Drummond's minutes vary a lot from night to night. Still, the Detroit win showed some progress. Mikal Bridges and Landry Shamet both found their shots, OG Anunoby has been getting to the free-throw line more, and the defense looked closer to last spring's playoff version. Kento Kato's verdict at Posting and Toasting was direct: "The Knicks should win this game. And they should do so easily."

One roster question remains. Fubo News lists guard Jose Alvarado as day-to-day with an ankle injury after he missed the Detroit game.

What it means for Wednesday

New York's first four games were close. The three losses came by 6 to Philadelphia, by 4 at Boston and by 9 to Orlando, and the team is 0-1 on the road. The Bulls are rested after Monday's game, while the Knicks are on the second night of a back-to-back. That makes it a good night for the rotation to get the starters some rest. A comfortable lead would give the bench long minutes and save the regulars' legs.

The market agrees. On this site's board, which tracks 12 venues, the Knicks are favored at -264 on Novig's moneyline, with Chicago at +257. Novig lists New York at -7.5 on the spread, priced at +102. The best Knicks spread price anywhere is DraftKings at -6.5 for -118, a point shorter but more expensive. Novig's total is 231.5, with the over at -104 and the under at -100. DraftKings has the best under price, at 232.5 for -108. The venues sit close together, with sportsbook hold running from 2.9% to 5.1% on the moneyline and 2.9% to 5.0% on the spread and total.

The game is on MSG locally and NBA League Pass nationally.