NBA tips, best bets, odds

The Knicks (5-5) will look to extend their winning streak to two games when they host the Bulls on Wednesday night.

While this matchup certainly looks winnable on paper, it will also be the first time this season that the Knickerbockers play on consecutive nights and three times in four days.

Therefore, there are likely better seats available if you want to support the Knicks.

In this preview, we'll highlight how the unique game plan could lead one of the Knicks' bench players to exceed their projections.

Knicks vs Bulls odds

(7:30 p.m. ET, MSG)

Bulls vs Knicks prediction

Chicago Bulls betting preview

By acquiring Josh Giddey via trade in the offseason, the Bulls have another capable playmaker on their roster.

Although Giddey is listed as a shooting guard, his seven assists per game are even more than starting point guard Coby White (5.1).

As a result, Chicago is doing a much better job of sharing the ball and creating scoring opportunities, while improving from 25 assists per game (23rd) last season to eighth this season, with an average of 28.1.

The Bulls' ability to make the extra pass benefited them long-range, ranking sixth in 3-point field goals made (15.4) and 10th in 3-point shooting (37%). .

Given these numbers, one might expect Chicago to be in the top half of the league in terms of offensive efficiency.

However, the Bulls rank 25th in this category despite leading the league with an average of 105.05 possessions.

Chicago's problem is that it can be extremely lax in possession, ranking 22nd with 16.5 turnovers per game.

The Knicks could be the perfect opponent for Chicago considering they rank last in forcing turnovers (12.2).

New York Knicks betting preview

I still have doubts about the decision to trade for Karl-Anthony Towns.

Towns looked like a player who benefited defensively from playing alongside elite frontcourt disruptors like Rudy Gobert, Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels in the Timberwolves' scheme.

Since Towns moved to the Knicks, their defensive efficiency dropped from 112.4 (ninth) to 113.8 (19th).

Although the Knickerbockers' offensive efficiency increased from 117.3 (seventh) to 118.6 (fourth), their net rating remains unchanged at +4.9.

At some point, Knicks fans may wonder if just playing .500 basketball was even worth it.

While I would be the first to fully acknowledge that the NBA is a copycat league, it would be refreshing if teams showed more bravery and adopted a style of play that better fits their ethos.

With top teams across the league eager to build their rosters to emulate the Celtics' 3-point prowess, I still believe there is a path to success for the Knicks if they become the hard-nosed Defense can return that has been such a staple of the franchise for so many years.

Bulls vs. Knicks selection

My power numbers have the Knicks as double-digit favorites, but the back-to-back berths are reason enough to give me a break.

That's why I'd rather try my luck in the prop market by targeting a Knicks player who could play a bigger role against Chicago.

Knicks backup point guard Miles McBride scored 15 points on 50% shooting, grabbed three rebounds and provided two assists in 26 minutes of play against the 76ers on Tuesday.

His points + rebounds average is listed at 12.5, while his rebounds + assists are listed at 4.5.

Betting on the NBA?

McBride has exceeded his points + rebounds projection in 11 of his last 14 games, with an average of 15.3 and a median of 17.5.

Additionally, he has averaged over 4.5 rebounds + assists in four of his last five games while facing teams ranked in the bottom 10 in defense.

Interestingly, McBride got more playing time in his next game two out of three times after playing 26 or fewer minutes.

Given the quick turnaround and breakneck pace the Bulls tend to run at, it wouldn't surprise me if this trend continues, giving McBride an even better chance to outperform both supports.

Best Bets:

• Miles McBride over 12.5 points + rebounds (-137, Caesars)
• Miles McBride over 12.5 points + rebounds (-105, BetMGM)

Why you should trust New York Post Betting

For the New York Post, Michael Arinze hinders most major sports. He has won two 15-leg teasers and a 12-leg parlay in his betting career, which spanned eight games of the Little League World Series. Most recently, he precisely selected the finalists for the 2024 European Championship and the Copa América.