Bulls vs Knicks: Chicago Visits Madison Square Garden Looking for First Win Streak Break

The Chicago Bulls visit the New York Knicks on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden in a Bulls vs Knicks matchup between two Eastern Conference teams under .500. Tipoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET. Chicago enters at 1-6 after losing five games in a row, while the defending champion Knicks are 3-4 and fourth in the Atlantic Division.

Bulls arrive on a losing streak

The Bulls were beaten 126-107 at Philadelphia on Monday. They are 1-4 on the road this season. New York had its own result to answer for, cruising to a 103-90 win over the Brooklyn Nets in its most recent game. That win came in the same week the teams had already met, with New York taking the earlier game last Wednesday.

The Knicks are 2-2 at home so far in 2026. Josh Hart has been ruled out with an ankle injury.

Knicks focus on shooting and defense

New York has been better defensively than offensively early in the season. Coach Mike Brown's staff has been credited by players for preparing the defensive game plan, and the Knicks have been getting stops. The team has struggled to make shots, and players have said the offense needs to catch up.

Several Knicks have talked about the early slow start. One player said he was not upset by it, arguing that the rough beginning could help the team identify what it needs to fix. Another said the team had finally played with pace after a stretch of slow, stagnant basketball. Landry Shamet was praised for his off-ball movement and his professionalism.

Betting lines and projections

According to CBS Sports, New York is an 11.5-point favorite in the latest odds, and the over/under is 233.5. CBS Sports also reported that its SportsLine Projection Model leans toward the Under and projects 231 total points. The model's picks are a paid product, and the figures reflect its simulations rather than a confirmed outcome. The Under has hit in two of the last three head-to-head meetings, according to the same report.

The model projects Chicago's Caleb Wilson and Norman Powell to score 16 or more points each. It projects Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby to top 17 points for New York.

What next

The game tips off at Madison Square Garden at 7:30 p.m. ET. For the Bulls, the question is whether they can end a five-game losing streak away from home. For the Knicks, the question is whether their shooting improves while they keep the defense sharp. Both teams are early in the 2026-27 season, and the result will show how each is adjusting.