ニックスのペイントエリア支配が再びブルズを破滅させるだろう
Look, when you watch the Bulls and Knicks play, it’s not always pretty, but there’s always a clear tactical battle. Chicago just dropped a 105-99 game to the Knicks on February 22, 2026. What stood out on film from that one wasn't just Karl-Anthony Towns' 28 points and 11 rebounds for his 39th double-double, but how easily New York dictated tempo and owned the interior. They simply outlasted a sliding Bulls squad.
The Bulls actually won big on October 31, 2025, taking down the Knicks 135-125. Josh Giddey had a career-high 32 points, 10 rebounds, and nine assists, while Nikola Vucevic chipped in 26 points. That game, though, was an outlier in terms of pace and scoring, a real track meet where both teams traded blows. The film from that night showed a much more open court, less of the grind-it-out style we usually see when these two meet.
New York's Interior Grind
Here's the thing: New York thrives on making opponents uncomfortable in the half-court. They want to get into your chest, deny easy entry passes, and funnel everything towards the paint where their bigs can clean up. The Bulls are 2-3 in their last five games against the Knicks, and those losses often follow a similar script: Chicago struggles to establish consistent offense when New York’s defense tightens up. They force the Bulls into tough mid-range jumpers or contested drives, exactly what they want.
When you watch the tape, you see the Knicks' defensive rotations are quick, denying secondary cuts and forcing isolations. That 105-99 win in February? Towns absolutely ate inside, but it wasn't just him. The Knicks collectively controlled the boards and limited second-chance opportunities for Chicago. The Bulls just couldn't generate enough consistent offense to overcome it, particularly in the later stages of the game. They looked flustered, often settling for suboptimal shots as the shot clock wound down.
Bulls Need More Than Giddey's Magic
Josh Giddey's big night in October was impressive, no doubt. He showed an ability to score and facilitate that Bulls fans have been waiting for. But can that be replicated consistently against New York's suffocating defense? That's the tactical question Chicago needs to answer. Vucevic can score, sure, but he's not a guy who consistently creates his own shot against elite interior defense without a lot of help.
The Bulls are 4-6 in their last 10 games versus the Knicks, a trend that suggests their recent struggles aren't just a fluke. The Knicks understand how to exploit Chicago's weaknesses, especially their tendency to go cold from the perimeter when pressure mounts. Unless the Bulls find a way to consistently open up driving lanes or knock down tough shots, they're going to continue running into a brick wall. They need more off-ball movement, more decoy actions to free up shooters, and less standing around hoping someone makes a hero play.
My bold prediction: The Knicks will win their next matchup by at least 8 points, simply because their defensive identity is too strong for the current Bulls offense to overcome.