New York Knicks Preview: The Keys To Defeating The Chicago Bulls

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Oct 14, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Robin Lopez (8) warms up prior to the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Win The Interior Battle

The Chicago Bulls have a number of quality big men to be wary of. That list includes Taj Gibson, Robin Lopez, and Nikola Mirotic, who have all either given the New York Knicks trouble or played for the team themselves.

The Knicks have a number of quality big men themselves, but the interior battle must be won in order for victory to be achieved.

Mirotic has recorded games of 35 points, 24 points, and 17 points with seven assists against the Knicks. Gibson had a pair of 10-point games against New York in 2015-16, although his impact is primarily made through his defense and physicality.

As for Lopez, he has the motivation of being traded by the Knicks after what was a productive and respectable 2015-16 campaign in New York.

Carmelo Anthony, Joakim Noah, and Kristaps Porzingis will have their hands full with Chicago’s interior. Gibson and Lopez are energy guys who could match Noah’s intensity, and Mirotic gave Porzingis fits in 2016-17.

Fortunately for the Knicks, Porzingis had a 29-point game and Anthony averaged 24.3 points on 50.6 percent shooting against Chicago in 2015-16.

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